Putting an end to speculations over the possibility of postponing Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, in view of fast spreading of Covid 19 variant Omicron, the Election Commission of India (ECI) today clarified that the polls will be held as per schedule.
The polls are scheduled to be held in February, along with the assemblies of Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. The poll schedule is likely to be released in the first week of January.
Sushil Chandra, the Chief Election Commissioner of India,after a three-day review visit to the poll-bound state of Uttar Pradesh, said that there will be no delay in the polls and that it will be held at the appropriate time.
He also told the media that all the political parties which include the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the possible challenger Samajwadi Party (SP), the Congress, and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have said that the UP Elections must be held on time.
The CEC also stated that in view of the increase in the number of voters and also the prevailing pandemic condition, we have decided to set up 11,000 more polling booths to ensure that there is no crowding. With this, there will also be an increase in the number of polling personnel.
“We are also increasing the polling time by one personnel by one hour across the state to prevent crowding at polling stations” he said and further added that frontline poll workers will be fully vaccinated and the directions have been issued to ensure that everyone in the state has received at least one dose of vaccine.
To boost the participation of women voters in the elections, 800 polling booths for women will be set up and further we will try to conduct an inclusive election in which no voter will be left behind.” Taking concrete steps for senior citizens, Covid-affected people, and disabled people, the CEC said that the Election Commission (ECI) will reach their doorstep.
On Wednesday, The EC delegation, which arrived here on Tuesday, met district magistrates, police chiefs, commissioners, IGs, DIGs and other officials and reviewed the preparations for the upcoming polls to ensure free and fair elections.
It may be recalled that the Allahabad High Court has suggested the ECI to postpone the polls for two to three months, in view of increasing Omicron variability. CEI held discussions with the Union Health Secretary on Monday in this regard.
