PANCHAYAT POLLS: SEC ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR COUNTING DAY

LUCKNOW : The State Election Commission (SEC) on Friday announced guidelines to be observed during the counting of votes for the panchayat elections that got over on Thursday in order to minimize the threat posed by the surging coronavirus infection in the state. The counting of votes will begin on May 2. The guidelines issued by state election commissioner Manoj Kumar have asked district magistrates to ensure setting up of medical health desks at all the counting centres -with availability of necessary medicines and deployment of doctors there.

LUCKNOW: The State Election Commission (SEC) on Friday announced guidelines to be observed during the counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat elections that got over on Thursday in order to minimize the threat posed by the surging coronavirus infection in the state.

The state-wide counting of votes will begin on May 2 amid the demand from some quarters for deferment of the exercise due to the Covid situation.

The guidelines issued by state election commissioner Manoj Kumar have asked district magistrates to ensure setting up of medical health desks at all the counting centres -with availability of necessary medicines and deployment of doctors there.

Thermal scanning of all the people entering counting hall/ room will be mandatory and anyone showing symptoms like fever, coughing etc will be denied permission to the premises.

Wearing a mask will also be compulsory.

“Also, candidates or their supporters will have to produce a negative RT-PCR or rapid antigen report no older than 48 hours. They can also produce the proof of having completed the vaccination course to get entry to the counting hall,” the guidelines said.

The guidelines prohibit victory processions in any form and ask DMs to make arrangements in such a way that people do not assemble outside the counting centres.

“Ensure legal action against people found flouting commission’s guideline,” Kumar said.