The Election Commission asked the parties to send their suggestions by July 31, 2020 at the latest (File)
New Delhi:
On Friday, the Election Commission (EC) wrote to all national and regional political parties to obtain their “opinions and suggestions” on the conduct of the electoral campaign during the next elections in the country, the COVID-19 pandemic being still active .
In its one-page letter, the poll asked for their answers before July 31 and said that secondary polls in some states and elections to the Bihar assembly were to take place this year.
The EC, while referring to the “current situation of COVID-19 in the country”, said that several guidelines have been issued by the Center and the state governments under the 2005 Disaster Management Act and other laws aimed at ensuring security and containing the spread. of the coronavirus in the country.
“Some of the prescribed precautionary measures include the mandatory wearing of a face mask in public places, social distance, the maintenance of a minimum social distance prescribed in public places, including restrictions on large public gatherings / congregations, thermal sweeping at the gathering place, disinfection, etc. ” said the EC.
Bearing these questions in mind, the EC requested the parties to send their “opinions and suggestions no later than July 31, 2020 so that the necessary guidelines for the electoral campaign are established by candidates or political parties for the conduct of elections during the pandemic period. “
Several opposition parties in Bihar on Friday urged the EC to assure voters that the upcoming assembly ballots would not become a “mass media event” due to COVID-19 infection and urged the office of ballot to limit the number of voters per polling station to 250 to ensure physical distance.
Opposition parties held a virtual meeting with Commission officials this evening and submitted a memorandum to the polling station earlier today, drawing their attention to the state of coronaviruses.
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