‘Sundays sacred for Christians’: Mizroram parties rescheduling of poll counting
The collective request by major political parties, including the BJP, Congress, MNF, Zoram People’s Movement, and the People’s Conference, to change the date for counting of votes in Mizoram’s assembly elections is a response to the fact that December 3 falls on a Sunday. Given that Mizoram is a Christian-majority state, Sunday holds a significant place as a holy day in Christianity, observed as a day of worship and rest for many Christians.
The involvement of the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), which represents a conglomerate of major churches in the state, underscores the importance of respecting religious practices and sentiments within the local population. Their collective concern highlights the sensitivity of the issue, and it underscores the significance of accommodating these cultural and religious practices when planning important events like elections.
In democratic societies, it’s crucial to balance the exercise of political processes with the diverse cultural and religious values of the population. Therefore, the Election Commission will need to carefully consider these requests and make a decision that respects the unique context of Mizoram and the preferences of its Christian-majority population.
The Election Commission had previously announced the election schedule for five states, including Mizoram, and set December 3 as the date for counting of votes. It is not uncommon for election dates to be adjusted or changed based on such concerns and requests, especially when they relate to religious or cultural sensitivities.
The Election Commission may consider the requests and assess the feasibility of changing the counting date to accommodate the concerns of the political parties and the Christian-majority population in Mizoram. The final decision regarding any date changes will be made by the Election Commission while considering various factors, including logistical and operational considerations.
The letters from both the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC) and the BJP emphasize the significance of Sundays as sacred days for Christians and highlight that worship services are conducted in towns and villages throughout the state on this day. These letters are appealing to the Election Commission to shift the date for counting of votes in consideration of the religious and cultural practices of the Christian-majority population in Mizoram.
The requests made by the MKHC and the BJP are aimed at ensuring that the democratic process does not interfere with the ability of citizens to freely exercise their religious beliefs and participate in worship services on a day that holds deep religious significance for them. The Election Commission will need to assess these requests and make a decision on whether to change the date of counting, taking into account these concerns and the overall conduct of the elections.
The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has requested the Election Commission to reschedule the date of counting to December 4, which is a Monday. Meanwhile, the State Congress president, Lalsawta, has emphasized in his letter to the Election Commission that Sunday holds a sacred significance for the people of Mizoram, and traditionally, no official programs or businesses are conducted on that day. He urged the EC to consider the sentiments of the Mizo people and reschedule the counting of votes to any day between Monday and Friday.
These requests reflect the common sentiment among the people of Mizoram, where the majority of the population is Christian, and Sunday is observed as a day of worship and rest. In consideration of the religious and cultural practices of the population, the political parties are advocating for a change in the date of vote counting to a weekday, rather than on Sunday. It is not uncommon for election authorities to accommodate such requests to respect the cultural and religious sensitivities of the local population. The Election Commission will assess these requests and decide whether to adjust the date of counting accordingly.
