States prepare safety measures for RS polls
NEW DELHI: From mock election training sessions to isolation rooms and separate voting booths, states are gearing up for Rajya Sabha elections amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The elections, to be held on June 19, will be the first major voting exercise since the pandemic started. Nearly 1,000 legislators will vote across eight states — Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Rajasthan.
While it is the health department of each state that is overseeing preparations, Election Commission (EC) officials, too, are extra vigilant. The commission has appointed a nodal officer in each state to ensure Covid-19 guidelines are followed. In Madhya Pradesh, where one MLA has tested positive for Covid-19, a health team will be present in the secretariat. “The MLA will be brought in last to vote,” an EC official said. “A separate polling booth is planned for the MLA, and all the elections officials present (when the MLA arrives) will be wearing PPE suits.”
In Gujarat, where three MLAS tested positive, discussions are still on to “finalise the arrangements”, additional chief electoral officer Ashok Manek said. Amit Chavda, the Congress’s Gujarat president and a legislator, said the party has requested the EC to make separate arrangements for MLAS who have tested positive.
In Andhra Pradesh, a special health team will be present to tackle exigencies, if any. “The polling staff will wear PPE suits and a separate isolation room has been created for emergencies,” said chief electoral officer (CEO) K Vijayanand. “Although there are no cases as yet, we are making sure we are prepared.”
In Meghalaya, “holding room, medical room in case of medical eventualities have been arranged, and a contingency plan drawn up,” CEO F Kharkongor said. Manipur CEO Prashant Kumar Singh, too, said the state will release a detailed booklet on preventive measures.
In Rajasthan, a large polling booth has been made and a dispensary set up. “In case anyone shows signs of Covid-19, they will be taken to the dispensary,” Rajasthan CEO Arun Kumar said.