The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rescheduled by-polls in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab, shifting the polling date from November 13 to November 20.

The decision comes after requests from national and state parties, including INC, BJP, BSP, and RLD, to avoid low voter turnout. National and state parties had requested the EC to shift the dates in these states due to various festivities.

The Congress party had raised concerns that a large number of voters in the Palakkad assembly constituency in Kerala will be occupied with the “Kalpathi Ratholsavam” festival, scheduled from November 13 to 15, 2024.

Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, BJP, BSP, and RLD representatives noted that many residents travel days in advance for ‘Kartik Purnima’ celebrations, raising concerns about reduced voter presence on the original polling date. Meanwhile, in Punjab, Congress pointed to the observance of the 555th ‘Prakash Parv’ of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 15, which includes an ‘Akhand Path’ beginning on November 13, as another potential hindrance to voter turnout.

The ECI has a history of adjusting polling dates in response to cultural and religious events to encourage voter participation. In previous years, polling dates were modified for festivals and observances such as Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti in Punjab’s 2022 elections, Barawafat in Uttar Pradesh’s 2012 elections, and Devuthan Ekadashi in Rajasthan in 2023, among others.

The revised by-poll schedule will cover one assembly constituency in Kerala, four in Punjab, and nine in Uttar Pradesh, with vote counting set for November 23, and the final poll completion scheduled for November 25.

(ani)