EC Meeting NITI Aayog, Home Ministry Officials Today. Decision On Election Rallies Ban Can Be Taken

EC Meeting on Assembly Elections: The Central Election Commission will hold a meeting today with NITI Aayog member VK Paul and Home Ministry officials.

Representational Image

New Delhi: Covid-19 cases are multiplying rapidly in India. More than 91,000 new Covid-19 cases were reported today. As the country gets ready to tackle the Covid-19 situation, decisions regarding assembly elections in five states are also to be taken keeping pandemic in view.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is holding a crucial meeting today with NITI Aayog member VK Paul and senior home ministry officials. A decision regarding ways to curb political rallies can be taken.

Constant discussions are on about what kind of COVID-19 guidelines should be issued to ban large political rallies and public meetings, and efforts are being made to arrive at a consensus.

Discussions on different aspects for conducting elections amid a sharp increase in coronavirus cases are also on the agenda of the meeting.

Meanwhile, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan reached the Election Commission office today. Bhushan will brief the Election Commission officials on the Covid-19 situation.

Yesterday, the EC held a meeting with Manipur officials regarding conducting the elections.

Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the early months of 2022 in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur.

After Allahabad High Court, Uttarakhand High Court Raises Questions

Uttarakhand High Court has also raised questions after the Allahabad High Court objected over election rallies to be held as covid cases are on a rise. Hearing a PIL, the High Court has asked the Election Commission:

• Can't election rallies be held online?
• Can virtual voting options be made available?

The Election Commission has to file its reply before the High Court by January 12.