Mon Nov 04 09:53:46 UTC 2024: ## Election Commission Reschedules Bypolls in UP, Punjab, Kerala Due to Festivals

**New Delhi, November 4, 2024:** The Election Commission of India (ECI) has postponed assembly bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Kerala from November 13 to November 20. The decision was made to accommodate various religious festivals celebrated during the original poll dates.

The bypolls were originally scheduled for November 13, but political parties including Congress, BJP, BSP, and RLD requested the ECI to reschedule them due to concerns that the festivals would affect voter turnout.

In Uttar Pradesh, Kartik Purnima, celebrated on November 15, involves significant travel for many residents. The Congress highlighted the Kalpathi Rastholsavam festival in Kerala, which falls between November 13 and 15, and could affect voting in the Palakkad Assembly constituency. Similarly, the party pointed out that the 555th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev, celebrated on November 15, would coincide with the bypolls in Punjab, potentially impacting voter participation.

The ECI, taking into account the concerns raised by the political parties, decided to push the bypolls to November 20, allowing for adequate time for people to participate in both the festivals and the elections.

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