Chandigarh, November 19, 2024: By-elections in four Vidhan Sabha constituencies of Punjab—Barnala, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, and Sri Muktsar Sahib—are scheduled for November 20.
In view of the polls, local holidays have been declared in these districts for government offices, boards, corporations, and educational institutions.
By-elections, also known as special elections, are elections held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regular election cycles. This can occur for various reasons, such as the resignation, death, or disqualification of an officeholder. By-elections are typically conducted in the specific constituency or area where the vacancy exists, and they allow voters to choose a new representative to complete the remainder of the term.
By-elections in the four districts of Punjab—Barnala, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, and Sri Muktsar Sahib—are being held because the sitting MLAs from these constituencies vacated their seats after being elected as Members of Parliament during the Lok Sabha elections. Specifically:
In Barnala, AAP MLA Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer was elected as MP from Sangrur.
In Gidderbaha (Sri Muktsar Sahib), Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring secured the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat.
In Chabbewal (Hoshiarpur), Dr. Rajkumar Chabbewal was elected to Parliament, representing AAP.
In Dera Baba Nanak (Gurdaspur), former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa of Congress became an MP.
These by-elections are crucial as major political parties, including Congress, AAP, SAD, and BJP, are vying for control of these constituencies.
