by NEW DELHI: Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, during the briefing on election schedule, on Saturday said that the Election Commission aims to conduct Covid-safe elections in the five states of Goa, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab with maximum voter participation.
Stating that that opinion of health experts is being taken to ensure Covid-safe elections, the EC announced the poll dates with the following safety norms and Covid protocols:
Stating that that opinion of health experts is being taken to ensure Covid-safe elections, the EC announced the poll dates with the following safety norms and Covid protocols:
- Every polling station will be equipped with hand sanitizers, face masks and thermal scanners
- All polling stations shall be located at ground floors with availability of Covid-safety gear
- Polling time in all five states to be increased by one hour
- Senior citizens who are above 80 years, persons with disabilities and
Covid-19 patients can vote by postal ballot - No road shows, padyatras and bike/cycle rallies will be allowed till January 15
- Strict action will be taken against those violating Covid guidelines, including restrictions on physical events
- Strict actions to be taken against polling officers as well for any violation of Covid guidelines
- If the temperature of a voter is above the set norms of Union health ministry, the elector will be provided with a token and asked to come for voting at the last hour of poll
- All officials on election duty will be
doubly vaccinated - All eligible officers, to be considered as frontliner workers, will be administered precautionary dose
- Candidates contesting polls will be given an option for online nomination
- Number of polling booths have been increased
- No victory procession will be allowed post results
- Physical rallies during campaign, if allowed, must follow Covid-19 guidelines
- A maximum of five persons to be allowed for door-to-door
election campaign by candidates
Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will be conducted in 7 phases, starting February 10. The last phase of the UP election will be on March 7. The two-phased election in Manipur will be held on February 27 and March 3. Voting for Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa assembly elections will be held in single phase on February 14.
The counting of votes for all five state assembly elections will be on March 10.
