Election Commission may cancel rallies, suspend officials for Covid-19 violation

The Election Commission is preparing to instantly cancel political rallies and suspend district authorities in case of Covid-19 guideline violations as soon as the model code of conduct comes into effect.

It has asked the home ministry, at a meeting on Thursday, to ensure that responsibility be fixed under the provisions of the National and State Disaster Management Act to strictly enforce Covid-19 guidelines in poll-bound states.

Meanwhile, the Union health ministry has informed the poll panel that the pandemic situation is so far under control in the poll-bound states but Covid appropriate behaviour needs to be ensured. While Uttar Pradesh has reported 31 cases of Omicron so far, Uttarakhand has reported 8, Goa 5, Punjab has 2 and Manipur 1. The positivity rate in UP is at 0.24%, 1.01% in Uttarakhand, 1.15% in Manipur and 2% in Punjab, as per data shared with the poll panel. Goa is yet to send the latest data.

The vaccination rate is largely found satisfactory except in Punjab and Manipur where the ECI has nudged states to expedite it.

The ECI held meetings with the Health Secretary and the Union Home Secretary on Thursday to take stock ahead of announcing the poll schedule.

EC sources said 'very strict enforcement' of its pandemic guidelines will be effected this time from nomination filing to door-to-door campaigns, public rallies, at voting centres and at the time of counting.

The EC will not hesitate to cancel rallies to send a clear message to all political parties in case guidelines are flouted. The idea is to start the election season itself with strong enforcement measures to 'nip in the bud' any violative tendencies as was seen in the last round of assembly elections, sources said. The EC's rally cancellations in West Bengal were largely seen as a case of too little, too late.

The poll panel intends to start on a stronger footing in the polls to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The poll panel will also be advising political parties to go for a virtual mode of campaigning, as far as possible. Undertakings are likely to be taken from political parties ensuring compliance to EC guidelines. The district machinery will also be asked to ensure that chopper landing sites are cleared of crowds in advance.

The Health ministry has also suggested that smaller rallies besides enforcement of Covid appropriate behaviour is essential.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria and ICMR’s Balram Bhargava attended the meet with the ECI on Thursday.

ECI sources said that they will be taking regular updates from the health ministry on the pandemic situation in poll bound states and attune poll related COVID norms accordingly.

Data shared by the Health ministry has largely indicated that while Omicron numbers have started rising in some of the cities, that is so far not reflected in the poll bound states in terms of both case load and positivity rate.

While Uttar Pradesh has reported 31 cases of Omicron so far, Uttarakhand has reported 8, Goa 5, Punjab has 2 and Manipur 1.

The positivity rate in UP is at 0.24%, 1.01% in Uttarakhand, 1.15% in Manipur and 2% in Punjab, as per data shared with the poll panel. Goa has yet to send latest data.

The vaccination rate is largely found satisfactory except in the case of Punjab and Manipur where the ECI has nudged states to expedite it.