In UP, the second phase of polling will be held on February 14, the third phase on February 20, the fourth phase on February 23, the fifth phase on February 27, the sixth phase on March 3 and the last phase on March 7. declare.
The results of all the states will be declared on March 10.
‘Covid safe elections’
During the media briefing, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said that 18.34 crore voters, including over 8.5 crore women, would be eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.
Speaking about the challenges posed by the Covid resurgence posed by Omron Edition, he said that the Commission aims to conduct COVID-safe elections in five states with a focus on hassle-free experience for voters and maximum voter participation.
Chandra said that in view of the COVID situation, the maximum number of voters at each polling station has been reduced from 1,500 to 1,250 and the total number of polling stations (16%) has been increased to 2,15,368.
“All polling stations will be equipped with COVID-mitigation facilities including sanitisers, thermal screening and masks,” he said. He said that on an average all the booths would have less than 1,000 voters.
The Election Commission has mandated that at least one polling station exclusively managed by women be set up in every assembly… https://t.co/udwHJrbma4
— ANI (@ANI) 1641636975000
pole panel The chief said that all COVID positive voters as well as those above 80 years of age and disabled can cast their vote through postal ballots.
Talking about the preparations for the mega exercise, Chandra said that the election machinery was gearing up for the assembly elections of five states for the past six months, during which a lot of advanced planning and careful preparation has been done.
The term of the present Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly will end in May while the term of the other four assemblies will end in March on different dates.
The Election Commission also announced the following COVID protocols for the upcoming elections:
- Road shows, padyatras, cycle rallies or processions will not be allowed till January 15
- Victory procession not allowed after results are out
- Physical rallies will be conducted only as per COVID guidelines
- Parties should distribute masks and sanitisers to participants in such rallies
- Not more than 5 people are allowed for door-to-door campaign
- No political campaign from 8 pm to 8 am
- All election officers will be double immunized
- All officers will be treated as frontline workers and will be given a dose of precautionary vaccine
- All polling stations should be completely sanitized before polling
- Polling time to be extended by one hour in all 5 states
- Parties urged to campaign through digital mode as far as possible
- Strict action will be taken in case of violation/violation of the guidelines
,