The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rescheduled the upcoming by-elections for 14 assembly constituencies across Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab, moving the date from November 13 to November 20. This decision follows requests from major political parties and social organizations, citing potential logistical and voter turnout challenges due to overlapping cultural, religious, and social events on the original date.
The constituencies impacted include Palakkad in Kerala; Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, Gidderbaha, and Barnala in Punjab; and numerous constituencies in Uttar Pradesh such as Meerpur, Ghaziabad, and Karhal. These by-elections will now coincide with Maharashtra’s assembly elections and the second phase of Jharkhand’s state polls, both of which are also scheduled for November 20.
In a statement, the ECI acknowledged the representations from prominent national parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which underscored concerns about reduced voter participation if the polling were held on the original date.
This adjustment comes amid a high-stakes election cycle, as Maharashtra prepares for its 288-seat legislative assembly election. The ruling coalition, known as the Mahayuti and comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde), and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), faces a formidable challenge from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. The MVA includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).
With the new by-election schedule, voters in these constituencies are expected to have better access to polling facilities, and political leaders hope the new date will facilitate increased voter engagement and a smoother election process.