Covid infection is on the rise in several states, including Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Concerns are growing over the increasing no of cases of the omicron variant of coronavirus. Assembly elections are scheduled for February-March in five states, including Uttar Pradesh. In this situation, the Election Commission is going to seek the opinion of the Union Ministry of Health regarding the organization of the vote.
According to commission sources, a meeting will be held with Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to hold assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa in the wake of Omicron infection. Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said on Saturday that the commission’s delegation would visit Uttar Pradesh on December 26-30. The meeting will be held on Tuesday before that.
The Allahabad High Court on Friday asked the Prime Minister and the Election Commission to postpone the Uttar Pradesh polls for a few months in the interest of the people amid concerns over Omicron. In this context, the commission said that after examining the transition situation in four states, including Uttar Pradesh, a decision on holding the polls could be announced on December 30.
