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Patna:
The opposition events in Bihar have written a joint letter to the Election Commission asking to make sure an “equal opportunity” within the state election due in October-November. The opposition events mentioned the Election Commission ought to guarantee the dual objectives are met – security of voters from COVID-19, and free and truthful election.
“People also expect the commission to ensure and satisfy the people that entire poll exercise does not become a super-spreader event,” they mentioned within the letter.
“The state has a population of around 13 crore with 7.5 crore voters. How does the Election Commission plan to ensure physical distancing of at least two yards recommended by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), repeatedly advocated by the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) himself?” the opposition events mentioned.
“People need explicit clarity so that wholesome participation of majority of voters is not adversely impacted,” they mentioned.
The opposition events raised concern that the BJP is pushing a plan for digital election campaigns and looking for a ban on bodily campaigns as a result of COVID-19 risk.
“According to TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), only a little over half the population has a mobile phone. Only 34 per cent have a smartphone. It will be a travesty of unpardonable proportion to officially legitimise a mode of election campaign which is not only severely limited by its reach but exclusionary by its design. Almost two thirds of the electorate will be left out of the process,” the opposition events mentioned.
“We request you to review and reassess the situation, in consultation with public health experts and other stakeholders, keeping in mind the rapidly worsening situation. We request you to take an informed decision at the earliest which accords due importance to people’s health and lives and does not compromise on the sanctity of the democratic verdict of the people,” they mentioned.
A digital assembly was held at present with the Election Commission and 9 events, who later gave a memorandum to the ballot physique.
The postal poll facility for folks above the age of 65 years – really useful by the Election Commission earlier this month – is not going to be operative for the Bihar meeting elections or the by-polls scheduled to be held later this 12 months. The Election Commission mentioned it was performed “due to logistics, manpower and safety protocols of COVID-19”.
The postal poll facility was up to now reserved just for folks over the age of 80 years and people employed in important companies and aren’t posted of their house state.
Bihar has additionally determined to create one other 34,000-odd polling stations – a rise of 45 per cent – taking take the entire variety of polling stations to round 1.06 lakh. This, the Election Commission mentioned, would entail formidable logistical challenges of mobilizing 1.eight lakh extra polling personnel and different extra sources. The by-elections would entail comparable challenges.
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