Some opposition parties had urged the EC to postpone the elections due to a pandemic (File)
New Delhi:
The decision to hold polls in the Bihar Assembly amid the coronavirus pandemic is not a “mishap” but a leap of faith and not a leap in the dark, Election Commissioner General Sunil Arora said on Friday .
Responding to a flurry of questions about holding an election when the pandemic has not subsided, he said: “As a committee, we don’t see it as a dussahas (mishap) … it’s a very, very meticulous work on our side, exercise. “
He also said the decision to hold elections in the state, where the assembly’s term ends on November 29, is “a leap of faith and not a leap in the dark.”
Mr Arora also gave the example of the recently organized JEE and NEET exams, claiming that thousands of applicants from various districts across India came to take the test.
Some opposition parties had urged the EC to postpone the elections due to the pandemic.
The CEC also cited a recent Supreme Court observation that life had to go on eventually.
Likewise, the Supreme Court on Friday refused to hear an appeal to postpone the next Bihar Assembly elections following the COVID-19 pandemic.
A three-judge bench composed of judges Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and Mr. R Shah also refused to grant the applicant the freedom to represent the Election Commission in this regard.
“We cannot allow everyone to go to the electoral commission. We can only allow you to withdraw the petition,” said the bench.
Asked whether turnout will be affected due to the pandemic, Mr Arora said voters are very aware of what they want and most will not miss the opportunity to exercise their vote. right to vote.
Responding to a question on whether the COVID guidelines would also be in place for future elections, he said God had not given him the wisdom of astrology. He said a lot would depend on the situation that prevailed at the time.
The CEC said the decision to hold national elections in three phases was taken with COVID-related safety standards and the fatigue factor of security personnel in mind.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
