New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has changed the date of voting for by-elections in 14 assembly constituencies of Kerala, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh after requests from several political parties. The by-elections in these states, which were to be held on November 13, will now be held on November 20, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Several political parties had asked for a change in the polling date, according to poll panel sources, citing holidays like Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev (November 15), Kartik Purnima (November 15), and Kalpathi Rastholsavam (November 13–15).
Voting in this by-election is being held on four assembly seats in Punjab, one in Kerala, and nine in Uttar Pradesh. Apart from 2 parliamentary constituencies, a total of 48 assembly seats in 15 states will go to polls in these by-elections, which are being held along with the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
According to the poll panel, state and national parties have requested a change in the polling date. “considering large-scale social, cultural, and religious engagements on that day, which may cause inconvenience to a large number of people, give rise to various logistic issues, and may lead to reduced voter participation during the poll.”
According to sources from the poll panel, the Election Commission has previously shifted polling dates when they fell on holidays in order to protect voter convenience and increase turnout. According to the Election Commission, the November 23 vote count date remains unchanged.
Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, Gidderbaha, and Barnala from Punjab and Palakkad from Kerala will cast ballots in the next by-elections. Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, Majhawan, Meerapur, Kundarki, and Ghaziabad are among the Uttar Pradesh assembly seats where by-elections are scheduled.
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