The EC has not yet announced the election schedule (File)
Bhopal:
Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Kamal Nath wrote to the Election Commission (ECI) on Wednesday to demand the holding of upcoming assembly bypasses in the state through ballots instead of EVD due of the COVID-19 crisis.
By-elections are scheduled in 26 constituencies that have become vacant following the resignation of 24 congressmen and the deaths of two lawmakers earlier.
The EC has not yet announced the voting schedule.
Kamal Nath wrote a letter to the chief electoral commissioner on Wednesday suggesting that the next polls be conducted using ballots, as the possibility of the spread of infection by EVMs (electronic voting machines) cannot be excluded, “said Congress leader JP Dhanopia, who is in charge of the party’s electoral affairs.
Previously, the EC had solicited suggestions from political parties on the election campaign amid the COVID-19 crisis.
On average, 1,000 voters voted at each stand. Voters will have to repeatedly press the buttons on EVMs.
Citizens and voters can be protected from infection if the polls are by ballot, Mr Nath said.
This is the second time that the State Congress has raised this demand in the recent past.
The opposition party submitted a memorandum to the electoral commission demanding the conduct of ballot ballots last month.
The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Madhya Pradesh stood at 24,095 and 756, respectively, as of July 21.
