New Delhi: The Election Commission has announced a new date for the assembly bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Kerala, shifting the original November 13 schedule to November 20. This decision, revealed in an official statement, was made to accommodate important religious and cultural festivals expected to impact voter turnout.
In Uttar Pradesh, by-elections will be held across nine assembly seats, while Punjab will see voting in four seats, and Kerala in one. Major political parties, including the Congress, BJP, BSP, and RLD, requested a postponement to avoid a conflict with local festivals, which they argued could hinder voter participation.
For instance, Congress pointed out that the Kalpathi Ratholsavam festival, celebrated in the Palakkad constituency in Kerala, runs from November 13 to 15. Similarly, in Punjab, celebrations for the 555th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev, beginning November 13, include the traditional ‘akhand path,’ a continuous recitation that concludes on November 15. In Uttar Pradesh, people observe Kartik Purnima on November 15, with many beginning their travel days in advance to take part in religious festivities.
By rescheduling the bypolls to November 20, the Election Commission aims to enable higher voter turnout and ensure that citizens in these regions can fully participate in both their cultural celebrations and democratic duties.
