On Monday Election Commission postponed the date of Punjab Assembly Election 2022. The date has been shifted from February 14 to February 20. EC held a meeting in light of several requests it received from political parties in Punjab.
In a press notice EC said that it received several requests and representations from political parties, state government and local organizations regarding Guru Ravidas Jayanti that falls at the same time as election date.
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Guru Ravidas Jayanti will be celebrated in the state on February 16. Devotees start travelling to Varanasi a week ahead of the celebration from Punjab. The poll date of February 14 would deprive a lot of people from casting their votes. The political parties asked EC to shift polling date few days after February 16.
Election Commission took inputs from state government and chief electoral officer of Punjab before taking final decision.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra requesting to postpone the polling date by 6 days at minimum. Nearly 32% of the population of state is likely to visit Varanasi in light of birth anniversary celebrations.
According to Punjab Chief Minister, about 20 lakh people in state would have missed out their right to vote in assembly election 2022.
