Census date reset puts early Punjab poll buzz to rest

The Centre on Saturday advanced the population enumeration for Census 2027 in Punjab and three other poll-bound states, effectively putting to rest speculation that the Assembly elections in the border state could be held in November this year.

According to a gazette notification issued by Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, population enumeration in Punjab, Goa, Uttar Pradesh and the non-snow-bound areas of Uttarakhand will be conducted from December 1, 2026, to January 4, 2027.

A revisional round will follow from January 5 to 9, while citizens in these areas can opt for self-enumeration between November 16 and 30. The reference date for Census 2027 for these states will be be 00:00 hours of January 5, 2027.

The Census schedule also makes it difficult for the Election Commission to hold the Assembly polls in November, as had been speculated in political circles since June. A large number of government employees, particularly teachers, are deployed for Census work as well as election duties.

Conducting the two exercises simultaneously would create considerable logistical and manpower challenges, an official said. The development comes nearly three months after AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal triggered speculation by suggesting that Punjab could go to the polls in November 2026 instead of February 2027.

Addressing an AAP gathering in Bathinda in June, Kejriwal had claimed he had been told that the elections would be held in November and not February. He asked party workers to begin preparations, saying they would have only about four months.

His remarks triggered a political row, with BJP leaders questioning the basis of the claim and maintaining that the Assembly elections were due in February 2027. An early election would have sharply compressed the political parties’ preparations, leaving little time for candidate selection, organisational mobilisation, booth-level planning and campaigning.

Among others, a tight deadline would have affected the BJP, which is seeking to expand its footprint in Punjab and emerge as a serious contender in the 2027 elections. Having ended its long-standing alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal, the party is looking to build an independent organisational base across the state, even as speculation persists over a possible rapprochement between the two parties.

The BJP won only two Assembly seats in the 2022 polls and drew a blank in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the party has been seeking to position itself as a serious contender by expanding its organisation and inducting leaders from rival parties.

The 2022 Punjab Assembly elections were held on February 20 after polling was postponed from February 14 following a request from then Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who had cited the large number of devotees expected to travel for Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Votes were counted on March 10, with the AAP winning 92 seats. Mann took oath as Chief Minister on March 16. Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.

Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.

Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.

Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.

"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.

2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.

"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.

3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.

"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.

"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep...