ECI Reschedules By-Election Polling Date for 14 Assembly Seats to Nov 20

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th Nov. In response to appeals from various political parties, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has rescheduled the polling date for by-elections in 14 Assembly constituencies across Kerala, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Initially set for November 13, the by-elections will now be held on November 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.

The rescheduling was influenced by representations from parties citing significant festivals, including Kalpathi Ratholsavam (November 13-15), Kartik Purnima (November 15), and Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev (November 15), which could have impacted voter turnout in these states. The ECI stated that national and state parties raised concerns over potential “inconvenience to a large number of people” due to religious and cultural observances on the original polling date, which could have affected logistical arrangements and voter participation.

The by-elections cover nine Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, four in Punjab, and one in Kerala, with Kerala’s Palakkad, Punjab’s Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, Gidderbaha, and Barnala included in this round. Constituencies in Uttar Pradesh include Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan.

This by-election round also includes two vacant Lok Sabha seats—Nanded and Wayanad—as well as a total of 48 Assembly seats across 15 states. Many bypolls are necessitated by MLAs winning Lok Sabha seats, prompting the need to vacate their Assembly positions.

The ECI noted that past decisions have seen similar adjustments to ensure higher voter turnout by avoiding festival clashes.