NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has rejected a representation seeking preponing of the start of voting during the next three phases of general elections from 7 am to 4.30/5 am to help facilitate Muslims voters exercise their franchise in the holy month of Ramzan .

The EC rejected the representation of advocate Mohd Nizamuddin Pasha, whose PIL on the issue was asked to be treated as a representation by the SC.

Pasha had said that since Muslims take food early during Ramzan, between 3 am and 4 am, and fast the entire day, it would be difficult for them to vote once the sun is up, intensifying the heat wave conditions prevailing in the country. He had said preponing the voting time would allow Muslims to vote after offering morning prayers and not risk heat stroke during the day time.

The EC said it had factored in all conditions before fixing the poll schedule from 7 am to 6 pm, which is 11 hours against a minimum requirement of 8 hours of voting.

It said polling officers at poll booths work around 15-16 hours, which includes mock voting on EVMs in the presence of polling agents to verify correctness of voting machines prior to commencement of voting. The EC said it would not be possible to prepone voting to 4.30/5 am in the next three phases of polling.

