Punjab Assembly elections on February 20: Election Commission

The Election Commission of India on Monday announced the change of polling date for the Punjab Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission, now voting will be held in one phase on February 20. Notably, polling for 117 assembly seats in Punjab was earlier to be held on February 14. However, political parties urged the Election Commission to change the date. Guru Ravidas Jayanti on 16 February.

Almost All Political Parties – BJP, BSP, SAD (United) and Punjab Lok Congress Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh The Election Commission was requested to hold the elections again. Congress leader and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had also urged the Election Commission to postpone the elections for six days in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas. It is celebrated on Magha Purnima, the full moon day of the month of Magha in the Hindu calendar. Guru Ravidas was born in the village of Sir Govardhanpur near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh in the 14th century. On this day, followers of Guru Ravidas visit Varanasi to offer prayers at the birth place of Guru Ravidas. This year the pilgrimage will take place from February 10 to 16. There is also a holiday in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states on the day of Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Political parties argued that lakhs of devotees visit Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the day and they would not be able to cast their vote in Punjab due to the pilgrimage.

The Election Commission said the results would be declared on March 10 along with the results of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.