UP elections will be held with the threat of Corona, the Election Commission said all parties are in favor of holding elections..
Lucknow: In view of the rising COVID-19 cases and the upcoming assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra said on Thursday, December 30, 2021 that representatives of all political parties, who met him during his visit to Lucknow. The Election Commission has said that the assembly elections should be conducted on time following all the Kovid-19 protocols. The Chief Election Commissioner’s statement comes as a clear indication that elections in the poll-bound states will not be postponed. Addressing the media in Lucknow, Sushil Chandra said that now there are 52.08 lakh new voters in Uttar Pradesh who will exercise their franchise in the upcoming assembly elections. ( up assembly election )
Representatives of all political parties met us and told us that elections should be conducted on time following all COVID19 protocols: Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra on 2022 UP Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/0xmDP9rwH1
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2021
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Time extended to prevent crowding at polling stations
Considering the increase in the number of voters and the current pandemic situation, we have decided to set up 11,000 more polling stations to ensure that there is no crowding. With this, the number of polling will also increase. We are also extending the polling hours across the state by one hour to prevent crowding at polling stations. With this, the number of voters per polling station will come down to 1,250 from the earlier 1,500 to ensure social distancing norms. The Chief Election Commissioner in the press also said that some political parties said that the number of rallies should be limited in view of the pandemic and some wanted the deployment of paramilitary forces.
We have discussed this issue with the health secretary here. When elections are announced, we will issue directions specifically on this issue looking at the situation then: Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra on big political rallies during COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ARjl4AAJyE
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2021
Special arrangements for senior citizens and differently-abled
He said that we have received some complaints about the bias of the officials and we have taken note of all the complaints and suggestions. Chandra further said that awareness campaigns have resulted in the enrollment of around 28.86 lakh new women voters, which is five lakh more than men. He said that the sex ratio of female voters has also increased from 839 in 2017 to 868 in 2021. In addition, the Chief Election Commissioner announced that special arrangements would be made for senior citizens and differently-abled at polling stations and they would also be given the option of postal ballet, the list of which would be made available to political parties.
People above 80 years of age, persons with disabilities, and COVID affected people who are unable to come to the polling booth, the Election Commission will reach their doorsteps for vote: CEC Sushil Chandra on 2022 UP Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/oTgPESm3wZ
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 30, 2021
Full vaccination of all personnel (up assembly election)
We have asked the concerned officials to inspect the arrangements and ensure water, toilets, seating arrangements, ramps and wheelchair facilities for the voters. Also, all personnel on election duty will be fully vaccinated, while thermal scanners, masks, sanitisers will be available at the polling stations. Chandra said he discussed the law and order situation with the police officials and asked them to ensure the safety of voters, especially women. Additional women policemen will be deployed at polling stations. He said that we have also asked other agencies to ensure that there is no distribution of money and liquor or any other freebies during elections. ( up assembly election )