Assembly election in Punjab postponed to 20 February

Jan. 17: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday postponed polling for the Punjab Assembly elections from February 14 to 20. The date has been changed from February 14 after political parties requested the Election Commission to factor in Guru Ravidas Jayanti celebrations.

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had written to the ECI asking for the poll date to be moved, as a large number of the Scheduled Caste community would go to Varanasi to observe Guru Ravidas Jayanti. The Punjab unit of the BJP too had raised the issue. Taking inputs from the government and the Chief Electoral Officer, the ECI announced a new schedule. Nominations are to be filed from January 25 to February 1, their scrutiny would take place on February 2, the last date of their withdrawal would be February 4 and polling on February 20.