All parties in UP want polls on time, will issue guidelines: EC

Asked about the High Court remark, the CEC replied: “Cognizance of that will be taken.”

Chandra said some parties, during their meeting with the EC delegation, expressed concern over flouting of Covid rules at election rallies, and also sought curbs on the number of rallies.

Asked whether the EC would consider postponing the elections, the CEC said: “EC will execute the responsibility assigned to it as per the Constitution. While executing that responsibility, whatever will be required to consider — either rising Covid numbers or managing the increasing rallies — elections will be announced after considering all that.”

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra addresses a press conference, at Yojna Bhawan in Lucknow. (PTI)

Asked about ongoing political rallies with huge gatherings, he said the EC’s responsibility begins after the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect. Before that, it is the state administration’s job, he said.

He said the EC has discussed the issue with the Union Health Secretary, State Health Secretary, Chief Secretary, and all district election officers. “Whenever elections will be announced, this point will be definitely considered that how the big rallies are to be managed. Whether digital communication will have to be increased… We will issue a guideline in this regard… It’s a dynamic situation. Considering all that, guidelines will be issued,” he said.

The CEC said polling hours will be extended by an hour; the number of voters at a polling station will be capped at 1,250, down from 1,500; all polling officials will be double-vaccinated, and those eligible will be given the booster dose too; thermal scanners and masks will be provided at all polling booths; and special care will be taken to maintain social distancing and proper sanitisation of booths.

“I have been told that 86 per cent of people in the state have got the first dose and 49 per cent the second dose of Covid vaccine. We have been assured that in 15-20 days, all eligible people will get their first dose. We have asked for increasing vaccination,” he said.

Senior citizens above 80 years of age, people with disabilities and those affected by Covid-19 will be provided with the alternative facility of postal ballot, he said.

The CEC said some parties complained about the “biased” attitude of some police and administration officials. He said the complaints will be probed, and action will be taken. He said over 5,000 police personnel have been transferred in recent days.

Newly appointed UP Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, who took charge on Thursday, said that in his meeting with the Election Commissioners, they expressed concerns over the Covid situation. “I assured them that I will sit with my officers and prepare a strategy to vaccinate everyone,” Mishra said.

Meanwhile, the Congress said the EC should take an independent decision on holding the elections.

“EC must remember that the countrywide data of Covid-19 infection, its spread… the doubling time, the results of genome sequencing and the impact of the vaccines on Omicron (variant) is with the government, and not with the political parties,” Congress communication department chief Randeep Surjewala said in New Delhi.

“…the constitutional responsibility of holding the elections lies solely with the EC. Instead of acting like a toothless tiger, the EC should ask for data from the Modi government, share it with all the parties, consult health experts, epidemiologists, virologists and take an independent decision. Has it done so?” he added.

He said that despite numerous health warnings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gone ahead with his ‘Namaste Trump’ event last year and addressed huge election rallies in West Bengal and other states earlier this year. “Even then the EC watched as a mute and complicit bystander. The result was the death of 40 lakh Indians,” he added.

The term of the current Assembly ends on May 14 next year. The electoral roll will be published on January 5; under the special revision, 52.8 lakh new voters have been added so far.

With ENS, Delhi