Assembly election schedule announced in 5 states amid Omicron threat; 10 points

The Election Commission of India (ECI) in a press conference on Saturday announced assembly elections in five states- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur in seven phases in early 2022.

Assembly elections will be held for 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand, 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa.

Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa assembly elections will be held in a single phase on February 14.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections will be held in two phases on February 10 and 14.

Assembly elections in Manipur will be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Elections are set to be held in all five states amid a massive spike in COVID cases nationally, according to Omicron Edition.

The Election Commission warned that any violation of the Model Code of Conduct will be dealt with strictly with the announcement of the election schedule. CEC Sushil Chandra also mentioned that the polling stations should take corrective measures if they have less or less than the average polling percentage from the previous years.

Chandra said all polling stations will be equipped with COVID-mitigation facilities including sanitizers and masks.

The CEC informed that the number of booths has been increased keeping in view the increase in COVID cases and the possible threat of mass gatherings.

In the press conference, CEC Sushil Chandra mentioned that the EC had tried to implement a comprehensive action plan to ensure inducement free elections.

Here are the ten points of this big story

All parties, candidates have been instructed to ensure strict investigation against hate speech, fake news. It was also announced to keep a close watch on social media platforms

Election Commission has banned any kind of physical rallies till January 15. Political parties and candidates were advised to conduct their election campaign in digital or virtual mode. The agency also said that road shows, car/cycle/bike rallies, processions will not be allowed till January 15.

A maximum of five persons will be allowed for door-to-door campaigning by the candidate.

The result has been put on hold after the victory procession. Physical rallies during the campaign, if permitted, should follow COVID-19 guidelines

Health experts were consulted to ensure a Covid-safe election; Polling hours will be extended by one hour in all five states. Agency requested for timely review of the country’s COVID situation

In the five poll-bound states, over 15 crore voters received the first dose, over nine crore both doses, the Election Commission noted.

All personnel on election duty will be double immunized and will also be eligible for a third dose as a precautionary measure to ensure a COVID-safe election.

Firstly, the Election Commission also mentioned that at least one polling station in each assembly constituency will be exclusively managed by women personnel to encourage women voters.

Strict action will be taken against violators of Kovid guidelines including ban on physical events

In view of the digital method of campaigning by the Election Commission, the limit of election expenditure for the candidates has been increased.