Early Times Report
UDHAMPUR, Nov 28: Taking a serious note of non compliance of COVID-19 SOPs during election campaign, District Panchayat Election Officer Udhampur Dr Piyush Singla asked all contesting candidates and Political parties to wear face mask, maintain social distancing and follow COVID-19 SOPs strictly during the campaigning.
Dr Singla said that detailed guidelines have been issued by State Election Commission wherein the Commission has limited the number of persons, including the candidate, for door-to-door campaign. Public meetings, road shows and physical campaign in the form of door-to-door campaigns are permitted in elections during COVID-19 subject to restrictions aimed at curbing the outbreak, as per the guidelines issued by the State Election Commission
The guidelines allow public meetings and road shows with suitable instructions subject to containment regulations issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the UT government from time to time. Dr Singla added that to ensure that COVID-19 related restrictions are followed in public meetings; district administration has identified dedicated grounds for public gathering with clearly marked entry and exit points. In all such identified grounds, markers will have to be placed in advance to ensure social distancing by the organizers of public gathering.
Dr Singla stressed that political parties and contesting candidates should ensure that all COVID-19 related requirements like wearing of face masks, sanitizers, thermal scanning etc. are fulfilled during each of political activities.
Non-compliance of instructions will be liable to be proceeded as per the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable. Dr Singla also informed that Face mask, sanitiser, thermal scanners, gloves, face shield and PPE kits are used during the electoral process ensuring social distancing norms. Thermal screening of all persons is carried out and sanitizer and soap and water are also made available at polling stations.
Dr Singla further said that postal ballot facility is extended to voters with disabilities, those who are over 80 years of age, people employed in essential services, as also those who are COVID-19 positive or suspected to be suffering from the viral ailment and are under quarantine. Dr Singla exhorted upon all political parties, contesting candidates and general public to wear face mask, maintain social distancing and follow COVID19 SOPs for their own safety and safety of general Public failing which strict action will be taken against the violators.
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