ECI Has announced the elections schedule and the code of conduct for the 2022 election today. In his statement, election commissioner Sushil Chandra said that the three main goals and objectives of the forthcoming elections are—Ensuring covid safe elections, comfortable voting, and maximum voting. The commission promises to adhere to these goals while ensuring free and fair elections.
The elections are set to be held in 7 phases with the schedule as follows:
Uttar Pradesh:
First Phase: Feb 10
Second Phase: Feb 14
Third Phase: Feb 20
Fourth Phase: Feb 23
Fifth Phase: Feb 27
Sixth Phase: March 3
Seventh Phase: March 7
First Phase: Feb 10
Second Phase: Feb 14
Third Phase: Feb 20
Fourth Phase: Feb 23
Fifth Phase: Feb 27
Sixth Phase: March 3
Seventh Phase: March 7
Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab:
Single-phase voting on February 14
Single-phase voting on February 14
Manipur:
First Phase: Feb 27
Second Phase: March 3
First Phase: Feb 27
Second Phase: March 3
Amid the covid crisis according to the ECI it has been extremely challenging to conduct elections. This time a total of 690 assembly constituencies are set to go for polls. Continuing further with the statement, he added that the polling stations have been increased to 2,16,368 where a total of 18.34 Crore electors will take part in the polls. These include service voters and women voters who stand at 8.55 crore. All these booths would adhere to the current covid norms.
This time elections will be held on 403 assembly seats in UP, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand, 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa. According to the ECI, these states in total can expect a total of 24.9 Lac votes from first time voters, this is the highest figure so far.
As the covid cases soar in the country, the commission held meetings with the Union Health Secretary and Home Secretary, experts, and health secretaries of States. ECI the decided to carry out the elections in a way that elections are free and fair while adhering to covid safety protocol.
The covid protocol taken by the commission to ensure that the polls are covid free are as follows:
· Staff reduced from 1500 to 1250
· Booths increased to 2,16,368
· Online nominations for candidates
· No processions, road shows and bike shows allowed till 15th January
· Social Distancing, masks mandatory
The commission went on an extra notch to provide a chance to covid positive patients. The commission will have officers go into constituencies and take polls from those affected by COVID.All the political parties are hence advised to carry out their campaign in a digital/ virtual mode to help stop the spread.
Atleast one polling booth in each assembly will be solely managed by women personell to encourage women voters. Similarly, one booth will solely be managed by Persons with Disabilities to promote their participation in the elections. All polling stations are to be on the ground floor to maximize accessibility.
All the staff at the stations will be doubly vaccinated and will be given a booster shot as a precautionary measure.
Model Code of conduct has been put in place as soon as the briefing was concluded. The model code of conduct ensures that EVMs and VVPATs will be used in all the surveying stations. Political race Commission has as of now decided to guarantee a satisfactory number of EVMs and VVPATs for the smooth direct of decisions. It is required for ideological groups to transfer on their site nitty gritty data regarding people with forthcoming criminal cases chose as survey competitors.
They will likewise need to give motivation to choose the competitor. Model Code of Conduct (MCC) happen quickly from declaration of the timetables. Political decision Commission has made elaborate game plans for guaranteeing the powerful execution of the MCC rules. Any infringement of these rules will be totally managed. The cVIGIL application ought to be utilized by citizens to report any episode of infringement of the Model Code of Conduct, appropriation of cash and gifts. Within 100 minutes of grievance, ECI authorities will arrive at the spot of offense.
Hoping that all stays in place and the elections are fair and smooth, the commission plans on disbursing the result on the 10th of March.