New Delhi: Election Commission this week held a meeting on the matter of issuing broader guidelines for General and bye-elections during Covid-19 period. After this meeting, the Election Commission in a statement said that it has directed Chief Electoral Officer to frame broad guidelines within three days.
The suggestions were given by political parties and recommendations made by the Chief Electoral Officer of states and UTs work considered during the meeting.
Whereas RJD and CPIM had urged the poll panel to not allow digital rallies, LJP, NCP, NPP and AAP have asked EC to defer polls as a state is impacted by pandemic and Covid-19. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora had earlier clearly indicated in an interview to ETV Bharat that Election Commission is preparing to hold Bihar elections as per the schedule and was working to evaluate the condition and poll preparedness in the state.
As per sources the new guidelines which will be out soon will include safety measures to be ensured on poll day. Polling personnel shall be provided with sanitizers, gloves, masks and polling staff will, in addition, wear face shields. Voters will be provided with masks at polling stations if they don't have one. Social diatabknb1 while casting vote will be ensured.
During the campaign, social distancing norms will be included in guidelines. The number of people involved in door to door campaign will be a maximum of three. The number of vehicles for roadshows will also be limited. It can be maximum of five as per sources.
Depending on area available for rally, District Election Officer will specify the number of spectators in the rally so that social distancing can be ensured. The number of people accompanying candidate for filing nomination will be limited too revealed sources.
Based on these guidelines which will be out soon, Chief Electoral Officer of the election going state shall prepare a comprehensive plan for state or district concerned for Covid-19 rated measures, taking into account the local conditions during the conduct of elections.
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