Election Commission Reschedules Bypolls in UP, Kerala, and Punjab to November 20

The date change follows requests from political parties due to upcoming festivals that may impact voter turnout.

By-elections in 14 assembly constituencies across Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab have been moved from November 13 to November 20.
The decision was made after parties cited festivals like Kalpathi Rastholsavam, Kartik Purnima, and Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak, which could lower voter participation.
The counting of votes remains scheduled for November 23, with the poll process completing by November 25.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the rescheduling as a tactic by the BJP to avoid electoral defeat.
The Akali Dal in Punjab will not contest the bypolls following a religious directive against its leader, Sukhbir Badal.