The Election Commission of India has announced a postponement of the upcoming by-polls in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab, moving the polling date from 13 November to 20 November.
This decision comes in response to requests from several national and state political parties, including the Indian National Congress (INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), who expressed concerns over potential low voter turnout due to coinciding festivals.
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In Kerala, Congress highlighted that the significant ‘Kalpathi Rastholsavam’ festival will take place from 13-15 November, likely engaging many voters in the 56-Palakkad Assembly Constituency.
Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, parties such as the BJP, BSP, and RLD noted that residents typically travel several days in advance to celebrate Kartik Purnima, which falls around the same time.
Similarly, in Punjab, Congress pointed out that the celebrations for the 555th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, occurring on 15 November, coincide with an Akhand Path that starts on 13 November.
This prompted calls to shift the by-elections to ensure maximum participation from the electorate.
The Election Commission has a history of adjusting polling dates to accommodate significant cultural and religious events, aiming to enhance voter participation.
Notable past instances include the rescheduling of polling during the Punjab State Elections in 2022 due to the celebration of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti and the adjustments made during the Manipur Assembly Elections for similar reasons.
The upcoming elections will now involve one constituency in Kerala, four in Punjab, and nine in Uttar Pradesh, all set to take place on 20 November.
However, the schedule for counting votes and completing the electoral process will remain unchanged, with counting set for 23 November and the completion of the poll by 25 November.
This rescheduling reflects the Commission’s commitment to facilitating a democratic process that encourages voter engagement and reflects the needs of the electorate.
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