Election officials on duty to be treated as frontline workers for COVID vaccine: CEC

India

oi-Briti Roy Barman

New Delhi, February 15: Chief Elections Commissioner Sunil Arora said Sunday that all officials involved in the Assembly elections would be “treated as front-line workers and vaccinated against COVID-19 with priority.”

He further said that in Kerala, which will go to the polls this year, 1,000 voters will be allowed at the polls.

“There will be 15,000 additional positions … due to the COVID-19 situation in Kerala,” Arora added.

The announcement came after Arora met with representatives of political parties and senior officials in Kerala.

Voting teams will also receive COVID-19 kits and districts such as Malappuram, Palakkad and Wayanad, which are some of the hotspots according to the Interior Ministry.

These locations are expected to have additional force deployment and other necessary arrangements in place in advance.

He also said that Kerala has a history of high voting percentage due to a high level of literacy and awareness and that the EC would consider extending voting hours for COVID-19 patients.

“We will also consider extending the voting hours so that COVID-19 patients can exercise their right under the supervision of health authorities.”

According to a report from The Indian Express, Arora said that the number of voters at the polling places would be reduced to 1,000 and more polling places would be organized to ensure social distancing. In Kerala, there would also be 15,000 additional positions, he said.