Belgaum/Bengaluru: The Archbishop of Bengaluru Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado has urged the Election Commission of India to change the polling date of April 18, on account of Maundy Thursday, as the Christians will be engaged in special prayer services in preparation for Good Friday. Archbishop Peter, who heads the Archdiocese of Bengaluru has also raised concerns over the scheduled date in Karnataka as highly inconvenient to the Christians.
In his letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, Archbishop Peter has said that being Maundy Thursday, Christians will be participating in religious services which is being held in churches and religious institutions all over in preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, thus making it difficult for them to take part in voting.
“It may be brought to your kind attention that many of our schools are designated as polling stations, which is located within the Church premises. As such it may cause great obstacles to logistics that might hinder the smooth process of polling in those places,” the archbishop has emphasised.
The Archbishop also raised concern over the possible violation of Model Code of Conduct. “Being the Holy Week, churches would attract large crowd within the 100 meters boundary of polling stations, which in turn may cause violation of the Model Code of Conduct,” archbishop has stated urging the Election Commission to either advance or change the polling date of April 18 in Karnataka.
Copies of the letter have been sent to the Prime Minister and election commissioners of all the states where polling be held on April 18.
Yes your grace I do support your suggestion.
I strongly endorse this most reasonable request.
Gregory, C Bangalore. Yes it is true. The authorities may kindly consider our request please.