Elections important, not public health for Election Commission and political parties

The Election Commission of India has decided to go ahead with the Legislative Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, even as experts express fears of a third wave of COVID 19 pandemic.

Chief Election Commissioner of India Sushil Chandra, announced in Lucknow today that that it will go ahead with the conduction of Legislative Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. He said that representatives of various political parties met the Election Commission officials and sought the conduction of elections on time, ensuring that the COVID protocols are followed.

Chandra said that voters above 80 years of age, will be allowed to vote from home.

An Election Commission delegation, met district magistrates, police chiefs, commissioners, IGs, DIGs and other officials of Uttar Pradesh yesterday to review the preparations for the upcoming polls to ensure free and fair elections.

Though the political parties have requested that the elections be held after following COVID protocols, political parties and their supporters do not follow COVID protocols, especially physical distancing and wearing of masks. This was seen during the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections.

Even now, political parties, without exception, have been holding rallies Uttar Pradesh, trying to woo the voters way ahead of the elections. Huge crowds are seen at the rallies of major political parties. Leaders and their followers are seen close to each other and not wearing masks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath are generally without a mask.

The Election Commission ignored the violation of COVID protocols during the West Bengal elections and political observers fear that it would be the same during the ensuing elections in Uttar Pradesh and other states.