Bypolls in UP, Punjab, Kerala Rescheduled to November 20

 New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rescheduled Assembly bypolls in 14 constituencies across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Kerala from November 13 to November 20 due to festivals.

The change follows requests from parties, including BJP, Congress, BSP, and RLD, concerned about low voter turnout and logistical challenges due to cultural and religious events on the original date. According to the Congress, many voters in the Palakkad Assembly seat in Kerala will celebrate the festival of Kalpathi Rastholsavam from November 13 to 15. In Punjab, the party had said, the 555th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev will be celebrated on November 15 and an ‘akhand path’ will be held from November 13 onwards.

BJP, BSP and RLD had said that in UP, people travel for four days for Kartik Purnima celebrated on November 15.

Meanwhile, the ECI has directed the Maharashtra government to transfer DGP Rashmi Shukla with immediate effect following complaints from parties.