Advani resents gap in voting, counting dates

MUMBAI, Jan 1: BJP President L K Advani expressed his resentment over the gap between the polling dates and counting and said his party would approach the Election Commission on the matter. Kicking off the election campaign of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra at Girgaum Chowpatty here, Advani described the gap between polling and counting as 8220;very big8221; and said it should be reduced.

Advani was referring to the election schedule announced by the Commission according to which the first date of polling is February 16 and the date of counting of votes is March 8.

Advani said the ballot boxes at places where the polling would be held on February 16 would have to be secured for three weeks till March 8 when the counting would be taken up and wondered whether it would be feasible to do so. 8220;We will discuss the matter with the EC,8221; he added.