Dates have been announced for the upcoming assembly elections in 5 states of India namely Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur for a total of 690 seats. Assembly elections in these states will be held in 7 phases.
But on the other hand the third wave of Corona (Covid-19) is also showing its formidable form. The challenge before the Election Commission is how it is able to conduct safe elections in the midst of the Corona pandemic. But the election ion has found a way to deal with this challenge and has said that elections will be conducted according to the rules of Corona.
Ban on public meetings till January 15
The Election Commissioner further said that it is necessary for every employee and officer involved in these elections to have both doses of corona vaccine. Apart from this, making a big announcement, he has banned public meetings till January 15 .
In this, any type of road show, cycle rally, bike rally and street meetings will not be allowed. The ban on all types of physical public meetings will continue till January 15. After January 15, the Election Commission will review the situation. The Election Commission has urged all the parties to hold virtual meetings.
Arrangement of masks, sanitizers and thermal screening
The Election Commission seems ready for protection from Corona in these elections. Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said that,
- Arrangements will be made for masks, sanitizers and thermal screening at every polling station and booth and special care will be taken of all the rules and protocols related to Covid 19.
- In view of Corona, the Election Commission has also increased the number of polling stations. This time there will be a total of 16 percent more polling stations in the elections than before. The total number of polling stations will be 2 lakh, 15 thousand 368.
- Apart from people above 80 years of age, postal ballot facility will also be available for Covid affected patients in the elections.
- Every polling station will be completely sanitized before voting.
The Chief Election Commissioner said that the elections will be conducted according to the Covid guidelines and it is necessary to be sure of getting out of the pandemic. He said that “if sure, there is a way out and even with the help of the wind, the lamp burns.”
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said that “It is a challenge for us to conduct elections between Corona, but we are ready for it. After talking with the health officials and secretaries of the states and after understanding the situation, the dates for the elections were announced. Is.” In these elections, 24.9 lakh percent voters will cast their vote for the first time.
