The Election Commission on Monday postponed the assembly bypolls in nine seats in Uttar Pradesh, four seats in Punjab and one seat in Kerala from November 13 to November 20 in view of festivals.
The date of counting of votes in these constituencies remains unchanged, the poll panel said in a statement.
The Commission said it had received representations from various national and state political parties, including BJP, Congress, BSP and RLD, and some social organisations for a change in the date of polling in these assembly seats in view of the social, cultural and religious engagements on that day.
In their representation, the parties had claimed that the festivals may cause inconvenience to a large number of people in casting their votes and may lead to reduced voters’ participation during the poll.
In Punjab, voting in Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), Gidderbaha and Barnala has been rescheduled. The parties had pointed out in their complaint to the Commission that the 555th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev will be celebrated on November 15 and an 'akhand path' will be organised from November 13 onwards.
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The nine seats, where polling was rescheduled in Uttar Pradesh, included: Meerapur, Kundar, Ghaziabad, Khair (SC), Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari and Majhawan.
The election dates in these seats were changed after parties claimed that people travel for three to four days ahead of Kartik Purnima, which will be celebrated on November 15.
In Kerala, bypoll in Palakkad assembly seat was rescheduled in view of the Kalpathi Ratholsavam from November 13 to 15. Elections in Chelakkara assembly and Wayanad Lok Sabha seats will be held as scheduled earlier on November 13.