New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce dates for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Election Commission has completed the review of poll preparedness for the upcoming assembly polls in these five states.
The ECI officials earlier had a separate meeting with Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on the Covid-19 situation as well as the vaccination status in the poll-bound states.
A complete review was done on the current Covid infection status during the meeting, which was also attended by AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) chief Dr Balram Bhargava.
The poll panel has asked to ensure that Covid vaccination coverage is pushed up further in these states.
The Election Commission officials also met Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla earlier to discuss the law and order situation in these poll-bound states and deployment of the central paramilitary forces, particularly in Uttar Pradesh where the polls could stretch to multiple phases.
The Election Commission may issue an advisory to the political parties seeking self-restraint on their part while campaigning and requesting them to switch to virtual campaign as far as possible.
The poll panel may make the State Disaster Management Agency (SDMA) responsible for enforcing Covid Appropriate Behaviour and curbs.
Besides, the District Election Officer concerned may be asked to fix the responsibility in the event of a major violation of Covid norms and take strict action.
The candidates contesting the polls and the star campaigners at whose rallies’ norms are violated may also face cancellation of their future rallies.