All Parties Want UP Assembly Polls On Time, 80+ People Can Vote From Home: EC
Mumbai: Representatives of all political parties met the Election Commission of India and were told that UP Assembly polls should be conducted on time following COVID-19 protocols, Chief Election Commissioner, Sushil Chandra, said.
Addressing the media after a three-day visit to Uttar Pradesh to review the preparedness, Chandra said political parties were not in favour of delaying the elections.
“Representatives of all political parties met us and told us that the elections should be conducted on time following all the COVID-19 protocols,” the CEC told the media.
Responding to a question on the huge political rallies being held in Uttar Pradesh during the current COVID-19 situation, CEC Chandra said that he discussed the matter with the health secretary of the state.
“When the elections are announced, we will issue specific instructions on the issue keeping in view the situation,” the Chief Election Commissioner said.
The CEC informed that the poll panel has extended the polling time by one-hour keeping in view the COVID-19 situation. Voting during the election will be held from 8 am to 6 pm on the date of polling, the CEC informed.
CEC Chandra further informed the following: “VVPATs will be installed at all polling stations. To ensure transparency in the election process, the facility of live webcasting will be available at about one lakh polling stations.”
The CEC said that the poll panel will reach the homes of people above 80 years of age, persons with disabilities and COVID-affected people who cannot come to the polling booth.
During the briefing, the CEC expressed concern over the declining polling percentage in Uttar Pradesh.
“61% voter turnout was recorded in 2017 UP Assembly Elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, voter turnout in UP was 59%. It a matter of worry why the voting percentage is less in the state where there is high political awareness among people,” he said.
It is noteworthy that in the next few months, elections are to be held for the assemblies of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.
The CEC said that the COVID-19 guidelines and SOPs will be followed during the elections and added that the poll panel will ensure free and fair elections.
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