Punjab byelections 2024 update: EC all set to announce date for bypolls to four seats in Punjab

Punjab byelections 2024 update: The Election Commission is likely to announce the date for the byelections to four seats in Punjab on Friday. A media briefing by the ECI is scheduled for 3 pm in Delhi and it is anticipated that the Election Commission may also announce dates for the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana alongside the Punjab byelections.

The byelections in Punjab are to be held in the constituencies of Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, Barnala, Chabbewal, and Gidderbaha. Dera Baba Nanak, Gidderbaha and Chabbewal seats were previously held by the Congress, but became vacant following the election of Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring to the Lok Sabha.

Former MP Dr Raj Kumar, who had switched to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), won the Chabbewal seat in the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, the Barnala seat was held by former AAP minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, who also resigned after winning his Lok Sabha seat.

The upcoming announcement has stirred political activity in Punjab, with the Congress keen to retain Dera Baba Nanak, Gidderbaha, and Chabbewal seats. However, with Dr Raj Kumar now a member of Parliament, a fierce contest between AAP and Congress is expected. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is also intent on retaining Barnala within his party's control.

This byelection will be the second in Punjab since the 2022 Lok Sabha elections, following the earlier byelection in Jalandhar West, which coincided with the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Jalandhar West seat became vacant after former MLA Sheetal Angural left the AAP to join the BJP, resigning from his position. The AAP performed strongly in the bypoll, securing a decisive victory with candidate Mohinder Bhagat winning by a margin of 37,325 votes.