The Election Commission is assured of holding the 5 meeting polls due early subsequent 12 months, together with in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, on time because the ballot panel has gained so much of expertise from the electoral train in Bihar, West Bengal and 4 different assemblies amid the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra has asserted. The phrases of the legislative assemblies of Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand are coming to an finish in March 2022, whereas the time period of the Uttar Pradesh legislative meeting is scheduled to finish in May.
“That is the foremost duty of the Election Commission that we should hold the elections and submit the list of the winning candidates (to the governor) before the term of the assembly expires,” Chandra advised PTI in an interview.
He was requested whether or not the ballot panel will have the ability to maintain the meeting polls due in 5 states on time as a result of Covid-19 as lately it has deferred some Lok Sabha and meeting bypolls as a result of second wave of Covid-19.
Some Rajya Sabha bypolls and biennial legislative council elections had been additionally deferred as a result of second wave of the pandemic.
“As you’re conscious that the second wave of COVID-19 can also be receding and the numbers (of infections) are fairly much less. We have executed elections in Bihar in the course of the pandemic, we’ve got executed elections in 4 states and one UT. We have expertise… We have discovered numerous experiences on learn how to maintain polls in the course of the pandemic additionally,” he said.
“I am very much sure that with the receding pandemic now, and I wish the pandemic is over soon, we will absolutely be in a position to hold elections next year which are scheduled in five states on time, as per the schedule,” Chandra mentioned.
While Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur have BJP-led governments, Punjab has a Congress authorities.
Uttar Pradesh, the nation’s most populous state, has roughly 14.66 crore voters, whereas Punjab has over 2 crore electors, in line with January 1, 2021 information of the Election Commission. Uttarakhand has 78.15 lakh voters whereas Manipur has 19.58 lakh and Goa has 11.45 lakh electors. The 5 states collectively have an estimated 17.84 crore voters.
Ahead of the Bihar polls held final 12 months, the EC had taken numerous steps to make sure a “Covid-free” election such as allowing people above 80 years of age and those suffering from COVID-19 to use postal ballot and reducing the number of voters per polling station from 1500 to 1000 to ensure distancing norms.
The number of polling stations had increased by nearly 80,000 in the four states and one Union Territory due to the distancing norms as a lesser number of voters were allowed per polling station.
The same principles were adopted in elections to West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
However, after it found that Covid safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning, the Election Commission had banned roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state and capped the maximum permissible number of people at public meetings at 500.
The decision was taken when the last few phases of polls in West Bengal were still to be held.
The EC had said at that time that it was noting “with anguish” that many political events and candidates had been nonetheless not adhering to the prescribed security norms in the course of the public gatherings.
The Commission had additionally banned victory processions throughout and after counting of votes.
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