SAD appeals to Punjab SEC to extend polling hours for May 26 civic body elections

The Shiromani Akali Dal has appealed to the Punjab State Election Commission to extend polling hours for the May 26 civic body elections due to extreme hot weather conditions.

The Shiromani Akali Dal on Sunday appealed to the Punjab State Election Commission to extend the polling hours for the May 26 civic body elections from 8 am to 5 pm to 7 am to 6 pm in the public interest.

In a statement, senior Akali leader Daljit Singh Cheema said Punjab is facing extreme hot weather conditions, and the present timings are likely to discourage voter participation, particularly during the peak afternoon hours.

''An extended schedule will help ensure higher voter turnout and safer voting conditions for senior citizens and other vulnerable sections of society,'' Cheema said.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader also claimed that the existing timings are unfair to daily wagers and farm labourers, who would be forced to choose between earning their livelihood and exercising their democratic right.

''The poll body should take a practical and humanitarian view to facilitate maximum participation in the democratic process,'' Cheema said.

Polling for 104 municipal bodies, including eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 21 nagar panchayats, will be held on May 26 using ballot papers. The votes will be counted on May 29.

The eight municipal corporations are Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala and Pathankot.