Political parties demand change of May 7 poll date

BALRAMPUR (UP): Political parties have asked the Election Commission to change the date of polling on May 7 saying lakhs of voters will not be able to exercise their franchise as they would be participating in 'Urs' at Ajmer Sharif dargah on May 6.

In a letter to Election Commission, Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Atiq Ahmad said that the 'Urs' in Ajmar Sharif is scheduled on May 6 in which lakhs of people from all over the country and his constituency Shravasti would participate.

"It would be impossible for them to exercise their franchise on May 7 as they would not return by this date," Ahmad, a SP Lok Sabha candidate from Shravasti said demanding shifting of poll dates.

Other political parties, including Congress and BSP have also made the similar demand.

Congress district president Sangamlal Shilpkar, Peace Party state president Abdul Mannan, BSP's Lok Sabah candidate Lalji Verma have also made similar demands to change the poll dates of May 7 citing the same reasons.