Won’t delay Uttar Pradesh elections as all political parties against postponing: Election Commission

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra also informed that it shall be ensured that people above 80 years of age, people with disabilities and those 'affected by COVID19' will be able to vote from home.

Quelling all doubts about postponement of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh due to the rising COVID19 cases and the Omicron scare, the Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra stated today, on December 30, that there would not be any delay in the polls.

“Representatives of all political parties met us and told us that elections should be conducted on time following all COVID19 protocols,” Chandra said while addressing a press conference in Uttar Pradesh capital.

The apex election official also informed that it shall be ensured that people above 80 years of age, people with disabilities and those ‘affected by COVID19’ will be able to vote from home.

Also Read: Consider suspending Uttar Pradesh elections as COVID19 cases rising: Allahabad HC judge to PM Modi

Also Read: UP Election 2022: Rising cost of living, women’s safety, farmers’ welfare – Akhilesh Yadav highlights them in his ‘Vijay Rath Yatra’

It is reported that a delegation led of the Election Commission officials had arrived in Lucknow yesterday and took stock of the poll preparedness.

In a meeting held with district magistrates, police chiefs, commissioners, IGs (Inspector Generals), DIGs (Deputy Inspector Generals)and other officials, the Election Commission officials reviewed the preparations for the upcoming elections to ensure free and fair elections.

Also Read: Restrictions announced ahead of New Year celebrations as Omicron cases rise

WHO chief talks of ‘tsunami of cases’

Meanwhile the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus yesterday, on December 29, said that new variants of COVID19 could become fully resistant to current vaccines or past infection.

He also voiced concerns about the recent surge in the Omicron and Delta variants causing a ‘tsunami’ of new COVID19 cases.

Explained: How serious is the infection caused by Omicron variant of COVID19

“I’m highly concerned that Omicron, being more transmissible (and) circulating at the same time as delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases,” Tedros said at an online news conference. That, he said, will put “immense pressure on exhausted health workers and health systems on the brink of collapse,” the WHO chief was quoted.

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