Punjab News: The Election Commission has rescheduled the by-elections for four Punjab Assembly seats, along with several others in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, in response to requests from major political parties, including the BJP, Congress, RLD, and BSP. The voting will now take place on November 20 instead of November 13, with results to be announced on November 23.
The by-elections in Punjab will cover the seats of Barnala, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, and Gidderbaha, which were vacated earlier this year when the incumbents—Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer (AAP), Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (Congress), Rajkumar Chabbewal (Congress), and Sukhjinder Randhawa (Congress)—were elected to Parliament.
Festival Timing Cited as Reason for Date Change
Pratap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly and a senior Congress leader, appealed to the Election Commission to adjust the dates due to the Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations beginning on November 13. This festival holds spiritual significance for the Sikh community and other religious groups and is observed over three days. Bajwa noted that the original date of November 13 would coincide with Akhand Path Sahib prayers, potentially impacting voter turnout as many people will be engaged in religious observances.
Bajwa also referenced a similar date adjustment made for the Haryana elections during a Bishnoi community festival. The Election Commission took these concerns into account, resulting in the revised voting date.
Election Commission Reschedules By-Election Date Due to Festive Observances
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised the polling date for by-elections in 14 Assembly Constituencies across various states from November 13 to November 20, 2024. This decision, announced via Press Note No. ECI/PN/150/2024, follows appeals from several national and state political parties—including the BJP, INC, BSP, and RLD—and social organizations concerned about potential voter inconvenience and logistical challenges due to social, cultural, and religious events scheduled on November 13.
Punjab Among States Affected by Rescheduled By-Elections
The by-elections in four Punjab Assembly seats—Barnala, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, and Gidderbaha—are among those rescheduled. These seats were vacated earlier this year after the sitting MLAs were elected to Parliament. Alongside Punjab, several other states are affected by this change, reflecting the ECI’s effort to facilitate full voter participation amid significant cultural observances.
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