The Election Commission of India has allowed election candidates to file their nominations and security deposits online—developments that come months before Bihar heads into assembly elections in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
The new guidelines, issued in the light of the pandemic, also limit the number of people who can accompany candidates for door-to-door campaigning, which the guidelines say should end by 5 pm.
The Election Commission of India said in an official statement: “After onset of COVID-19 pandemic in India, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) have been issuing guidelines from time to time. In their latest circular dated 29th July, 2020, the MHA has issued comprehensive guidelines/directives to be followed countywide. Similarly, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has also issued SOP on disinfection, sanitisation, and prevention for containing COVID-19”.
In view of this the poll panel had on July 17, 2020, had sent communications to all registered political parties seeking their views and had asked them to furnish the same by August 11, 2020.
A senior EC official said after considering the views of the political parties and others, the panel finalised the broad guidelines on election campaign and public meetings. The same have been communicated in writing to political parties and all the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of States/UTs to adhere to.
“The CEOs of concerned states/UTs shall make comprehensive State/District & assembly wise election plans regarding arrangement and preventive measures following the guidelines, while taking into account the local conditions. These plans should be prepared in consultation with the Nodal Officer for COVID-19 in their respective States/UTs,” the official said.
Salient features of the broad guidelines:
Only limited number of people can accompany the candidates at the time of nominations
Candidates cannot use more than specified number of vehicles by CEOs at the time of nominations
Candidates have also been given option of filing their nominations and affidavits online before returning officers (ROs), but after taking print out of the same
Security deposit for contesting elections can also be deposited online
Keeping the containment guidelines in view, the number of persons including candidates for door to door campaign has been limited to five.
Public meeting and road shows shall be permissible with suitable instructions subject to containment instructions issued by the MHA/State.
Face Mask, Sanitizer, Thermal scanners, gloves, face shield and PPE kits shall be used during the electoral process ensuring social distancing norms.
Hand gloves shall be provided to all the electors for signing on the voter register and pressing button of EVM for voting.
