Punjab assembly elections: EC reschedules polling date, voting now on February 20

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday rescheduled the voting date for Punjab assembly elections to February 20.
Punjab was earlier scheduled to vote on February 14 in the second phase of the polls.

In a statement, the commission said polls would now be held on February 20. It coincides with the third phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the Congress and the BJP had requested the poll panel to reschedule the date as it was close to the Ravidas Jayanti celebrations on February 16.

Assembly elections schedule 2022
The Congress party on January 13 in written request had said that over 20 lakh Schedule Caste voters go to the religious visit to the places related to Sant Ravidas ji. The party further said that a sizable number of SC voters visit Varanasi from February 10 to 16 every year, therefore, the scheduled date for the polling in Punjab should be postponed till Ravidas Jayanti.

Later the BJP also made a similar request to the EC, reiterating the same reason and said many of the voters will either miss their religious trip or skip voting on February 14.
The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday also made the same request to the Commission citing Ravidas Jayanti. (Agencies)