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Now, Punjab Polls To Be Held On Feb 20 In View Of Guru Ravidas Jayanti: EC

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday made an announcement to defer Punjab assembly elections to February 20 instead of earlier schedule of February 14 in view of Sri Guru Ravidas Jayanti on February 16. The move is meant to ensure maximum participation of people in the voting process.

In a statement, the Election Commission said, “After  consideration  of  all  facts  made  available,  Election  Commission  has announced 2022 General Elections  to the Legislative Assembly of State of Punjab on January 8, 2022 under  which notification for the election  is  to  be  issued on 21st January, 2022 and poll is to take place on 14th February, 2022.”

It said that Commission received  several representations from State  government, political parties and other  organisations drawing attention  regarding movement of a large number  of  devotees from Punjab to Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi for participation in  Sri Guru Ravidasji Jayanti celebrations,  which is observed on February 16, 2022.

“They 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 February 14 will deprive large number of electors from voting.

“In view of this, they have requested to  shift the poll date few days after February 16. Commission has also taken inputs from state government and Chief Electoral Officer Punjab in this regard,” it said.

The Commission said, “After  considering these new facts emerging out of these representations, inputs from the state government and Chief  Electoral Officer, past precedence facts  and circumstances in the matter, now Commission has decided to reschedule the General Elections to Legislative Assembly of Punjab.”

The Commission said that notification will be issued on January 25, while  last date of nomination is February 1, date of scrutiny is February 2.

The panel said that date of withdrawal of nomination is February 4 and date of poll is February 20 while the counting  of  votes will be taken up on March 10.

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