Madras HC rejects petitions seeking to change polling dates in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

The Madras High Court on Friday dismissed petitions seeking change in the polling dates in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry citing religious festivals - Maundy Thursday and Chithirai festival, on April 18.

The division bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Manikumar accepted the response from the Election Commission of India that occurrence of religious festival or season is routine and common in the country and the election cannot be deferred solely on this ground.

A batch of Public Interest Litigations (PIL) was filed in the Madras High Court seeking to reschedule polls in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on April 18 as it coincided with Maundy Thursday and the popular Chitirai Festival. Satyabrata Sahoo, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu made the submissions through an affidavit.

Earlier, the Election Commission told the court that it extended the polling duration by two hours in Madurai constituency due to the "Chitirai Festival" and that they cannot change the election dates for the constituency as it would hamper the election process.

Further, the ECI added that it was the sole authority to decide the date of general elections after taking into account several factors and that the court had no jurisdiction to interfere.

Regarding the petition filed by TN Bishop's council, the Commission told the court that all arrangements will be made for the smooth functioning of church services on that day.

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are slated to go to polls on April 18.

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