Explain why extension of polling time was sought: EC to Sangrur DC, chief secretary

“ECI seeks explanation from DC Sangrur and Chief Secretary Punjab for asking for extension of polling time towards closing hours at 4pm without any new facts appearing on the day of polling and thereby attempting to influence a section of voters,” the EC spokesperson said.

In its letter addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer in Punjab, the Commission wrote:

“I am directed to convey displeasure of the Commission on such unwarranted communication making request for extension of poll timing on the poll day for reasons which pre existed even during notification of the by-election. The letter of the Returning Officer and subsequent request by the Chief Secretary at 4:05 pm amounts to attempt of unduly interfering in the election process and influence certain class of voters by conveying them to expedite voting or wait for time extension. Commission condemns such behavior by the officers during election process.”

Only 29.07 per cent of the electorate cast their vote in the bypoll in Punjab’s Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency—where the turnout was 77.21 per cent in 2014 and 72.40 per cent in 2019—till 3pm on Thursday.

A late afternoon tweet of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appealed to the Election Commission to extend the polling time from 6pm to 7pm, saying people in rural areas were busy with paddy transplantation.

“I have been directed to state that detailed explanation from the Chief Secretary and Returning Officer shall be called regarding reasons and circumstances and new facts that arose in the afternoon of polling day necessitating writing of such letter so as to reach Commission by tomorrow 1:00 pm to take further decision on initiating disciplinary proceedings. This should be done on top most priority,” the EC letter added.