New Delhi- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rescheduled the upcoming by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab to November 20, 2024. The polls were originally scheduled for November 13, 2024.

The decision comes after requests from several national and state parties, including the INC, BJP, BSP, and RLD, to reschedule the polling dates due to various religious and cultural festivities. The ECI, in its statement, acknowledged the requests and stated its commitment to ensuring maximum voter participation.

In Kerala, the Congress party expressed concerns about the low voter turnout expected due to the "Kalpathi Ratholsavam" festival, scheduled from November 13 to 15, 2024, in the Palakkad assembly constituency.

Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, representatives from the BJP, BSP, and RLD highlighted the impact of 'Kartik Purnima' celebrations on voter turnout, noting that many residents travel days in advance for the festivities.

The observance of the 555th 'Prakash Parv' of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 15, 2024, in Punjab, was also cited by the Congress party as a potential hindrance to voter participation, with the 'Akhand Path' commencing on November 13.

The rescheduled by-polls will now cover one assembly constituency in Kerala, four in Punjab, and nine in Uttar Pradesh. The vote counting is scheduled for November 23, 2024, with the final poll completion slated for November 25, 2024.

The ECI has a history of adjusting polling dates to accommodate cultural and religious events to maximize voter participation. This decision follows similar reschedulings in previous years for festivals like Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti, Barawafat, and Devuthan Ekadashi in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, respectively.