Bajwa urges Election Commission to postpone Punjab bypolls scheduled on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary

Leader of Opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging it to reschedule the November 13 by-elections in Punjab as the polling date coincides with the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, one of the most sacred occasions in Sikhism.

In his letter, Bajwa said that holding elections on this day would cause “emotional distress and inconvenience” to devotees across the state, as millions of Sikh families observe the Gurpurab through prayers and community service. He requested the Commission to defer the polling date by a few days “in keeping with the religious sentiments of Punjabis.”

The bypolls are scheduled for four Assembly constituencies - Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, Gidderbaha, and Barnala - where campaigning is already underway. Bajwa said a change in the date would not only show respect for Sikh tradition but also help ensure greater voter participation.

The Election Commission has yet to issue a response to Bajwa’s request, but the matter has sparked debate among political parties in the state, with several leaders supporting the call for a respectful rescheduling.