the goan I network
BELGAUM
Growing unhappiness among the Catholic community over the Election Commission’s decision to hold elections either during or days after the Holy Week, considered the most important period for the Christians, is not restricted to Goa alone.
Archbishop of Bangalore 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 are engaged in special prayer services preparing for Good Friday.
Archbishop Machado, who heads the archdiocese of Bangalore, 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 Machado has said that being Maundy Thursday, Christians will be participating in the religious services which is being held in the 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.
He has also raised concern over the possible violation of Election Code of Conduct due to the religious services.
“Being the Holy Week, churches would attract large crowd within the 100 metres boundary of polling stations, which in turn, may cause
violation of the Election Code of Conduct,” archbishop stated.
He has urged the Election Commission to either prepone or postpone the polling date of April 18 in Karnataka.
Copies of the letter have been sent to the Prime Minister and election commissioners of all states, where polling be held on April 18.
