The Election Commission (EC) on Monday announced that Assembly elections in Punjab will be held on February 20, after the state government, political parties and organisation requested the ECI to reschedule the poll date in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti celebrations.

Earlier, the date of polling for the general elections to the Legislative Assembly of Punjab was scheduled for February 14.

The ECI was urged to postpone the date of polling as a large number of devotees from Punjab will be visiting Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh for Guru Ravidas Jayanti celebrations from February 10 to 16, which in turn will deprive a large number of electors from voting.

"Commission has received several representations from state government, political parties and other organisations drawing attention regarding movement of a large number of devotees from Punjab to Varanasi for participation in Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti celebrations, which is observed on February 16, 2022. They have also brought to the notice that a large number of devotees start moving for Varanasi around a week before the day of celebration and keeping the poll day on February 14, 2022 will deprive large number of electors from voting. In view of this, they have requested to shift the poll date few days after February 16.  Commission has also taken inputs from the state government and Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab in this regard," the ECI said in a statement.

After considering these new facts emerging out of these representations, inputs from the state government and Chief Electoral Officer, past precedence and all facts and circumstances in the matter, now the Commission has decided to reschedule the general elections to the Legislative Assembly of Punjab," the Election Commission added.

As per the ECI, notification for the Punjab Assembly election will be issued on January 25. The last date of nomination will be February 1 while the last date of withdrawal will be February 4.