November 13–November 20. Following concerns expressed by state and national parties about decreased voter turnout as a result of various celebrations falling on election dates, the poll body made its announcement.
According to the Congress, a sizable section of the Palakkad electorate in Kerala will participate in the “Kalpathi Rastholsavam” festival, which is scheduled for November 13–15, 2024.
In Uttar Pradesh, people frequently start their journeys three to four days ahead of time to celebrate Kartik Purnima, according to statements made by the BJP, BSP, and RLD.
With an Akhand Path scheduled to start on November 13, the Congress party in Punjab has asked that the 555th Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji be celebrated on November 15.
In the past, the Election Commission has changed election polling dates to accommodate voters and promote greater turnout. For example, in order to accommodate the celebration of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti, polling was rescheduled during the Punjab State Elections in 2022. Similarly, because the first phase of the 2022 assembly elections fell on a Sunday, the polling dates for the two phases were changed.
Barawafat caused the dates of the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections to be rescheduled. Polling and counting dates for the 2013 Mizoram assembly elections were also changed to accommodate social gatherings and Sunday observance.
Furthermore, the poll date was moved for Devuthan Ekadashi in the 2023 Rajasthan elections, and it was recently moved for Asoj Amavasya in Haryana. Consequently, elections will now take place on November 20 in one assembly constituency in Kerala, four in Punjab, and nine in Uttar Pradesh. For these constituencies, the election completion and counting dates are still set for November 23 and 25, respectively.
