India's Election Commission postpones bypolls in Kerala, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh to Nov 20

The Election Commission of India on Monday (Nov. 4) announced a change in the date of bypolls for 14 assembly constituencies of Kerala, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Byelections scheduled for Nov. 13 will now take place on Nov. 20.

Why has the date changed?

According to reports, the bypolls datewas deferred following requests from national and state parties, including INC, BJP, BSP, and RLD. The parties made the request so as to avoid low voter turnout due to ongoing festivities in the state.

The Indian National Congress told the ECI that in Kerala, a significant portion of the electorate in the 56-Palakkad AC in Kerala will be engaged in the "Kalpathi Rastholsavam" festival, which is set to be celebrated from 13th to 15th November 2024.

Meanwhile, BJP, BSP and RLD said that in Uttar Pradesh, people will be celebrating Kartik Purnima.

In Punjab, peoplewill be celebrating the 555th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 15, for which an Akhand Path is to be organised from November 13onwards, said Congress.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission sacked DGP Rashmi Shukla in poll-bound Maharashtra after she faced allegations of a "clear bias" against the opposition from Congress.

The Congress, in a letter, had said that the senior IPS officer was allegedly involved in illegal "phone tapping".

Is this a normal practice?

While this is not a regular practice, the ECI has previously adjustedpolling dates to improve voter turnout and accessibility. For instance, in the 2022 Punjab State Elections, the polling day was shifted to accommodate the celebration of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti. The same year, the Manipur Assembly election dates forboth phases were changed because the first phase fell on a Sunday, which could have impacted voter participation.

Back in 2012, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections were rescheduleddue to Barawafat, a Muslim festival.

In 2013, the Mizoram Assembly polling and counting dates were also changed partly because of social events and since one of those days was a Sunday. More recently, the Rajasthan Elections dates in 2023 had to be altered due to the Devuthan Ekadashi festival, while Haryana made a similar change for Asoj Amavasya.

(With inputs from agencies)