The Election Commission has announced the schedule for upcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory. Polls are to be held for 294 seats in West Bengal, 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, 140 seats in Kerala, 126 seats in Assam and 30 seats in Puducherry.
This is the second round of assembly elections which will be held during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the polls in Bihar in three phases through October and November last year.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, began his press conference by paying tributes to the COVID warriors, doctors, paramedics, nurses, researchers, scientists and all officials on election duty who are located on the frontline.
Pointers on special provisions
Roadshows will be allowed but they will be subject to norms.
Webcasting arrangement has been put in place at polling stations in critical and vulnerable areas.
Drinking water, toilets, power supply, waiting areas will be made available in all polling stations.
Additionally, soap, water, sanitizer etc will also be available in all polling stations.
Polling time has been extended by an hour due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Door-to-door campaigning has been restricted to 5 people.
PWD voters, senior citizens and those who have COVID symptoms will be assisted by volunteers at the polling station.
First, state level poll officials will be vaccinated and then those at ECI HQ in New Delhi.
In ECI headquarters too vaccination will start with the juniormost staffers and top officials will be vaccinated last.
Vaccination drive has made situation more conducive for elections, everyone on poll duty declared frontline worker for vaccine purpose.
Adequate CAPFs deployment shall be ensured during elections.
All critical, vulnerable polling stations identified and an adequate number of CAPFs will be deployed.
