Punjab Elections Postponed; Know Why

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Monday agreed to several political parties’ request to postpone next month’s Assembly elections in Punjab in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Polls in Punjab, scheduled to be held in a single phase on February 14, will now be conducted on February 20.

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, BJP’s state unit and other leaders had written to the Chief Election Commissioner urging postponement as Guru Ravidas Jayanti falls on February 14 and many devotees will be travelling to UP.

“Commission has received several representations from state government, political parties and other organizations drawing attention regarding movement of a large number of devotees from Punjab to Varanasi for participation in Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti celebrations, which is observed on 16th February 2022. They have also brought to the notice that a large number of devotees start moving for Varanasi around a week before the day of celebration and keeping the poll day on 14th February 2022 will deprive large number of electors from voting. In view of this, they have requested to shift the poll date a few days after 16th February 2022,” EC said in a statement.

“Now Commission has decided to reschedule the General Elections to Legislative Assembly of Punjab in the following manner: Date of Notification: 25th January 2022 (Tuesday). Last date of Nomination: 1st February 2022 (Tuesday). Date of Scrutiny: 2nd February 2022 (Wednesday). Date of Withdrawal: 4th February 2022 (Friday). Date of Poll: 20th February 2022 (Sunday).”

Counting of votes for Punjab and four other poll-bound states – UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa —  will be taken up on March 10.