By NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has postponed Assembly bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Kerala to avoid clashing with upcoming festivals. Originally scheduled for November 13, the elections will now take place on November 20.
The decision follows requests from several political parties, including Congress, BJP, BSP, and RLD, expressing concerns that the festival season could impact voter turnout.
Nine constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, four in Punjab, and one in Kerala are going for the bypolls.
The Congress party highlighted the “Kalpathi Rastholsavam” festival in Kerala, celebrated from November 13 to 15, which could affect voter participation in the Palakkad assembly constituency.
In Punjab, the “555th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev” falls on November 15, with religious events commencing from November 13.
Concerns were also raised about the impact of “Kartik Purnima,” celebrated on November 15, as people in Uttar Pradesh often travel during this period.
