New Delhi, April 24: The Election Commission on Saturday noted with concern that the enforcement of COVID-appropriate behaviour under the Disaster Management Act during campaigning in West Bengal has been “less than adequate”.
It also said that the body tasked with the enforcement of COVID guidelines needs to step up its assigned duty.
The issues were flagged at a meeting held by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar with top state government officials to review enforcement of COVID guidelines during campaigning in West Bengal where two remaining phases of assembly elections are to take place next week. The seventh and the last phase of polls will take place on April 26 and 29, respectively.
“The Commission noted with concern that during public campaigns for electioneering, the enforcement under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 has been less than adequate,” a statement issued by the poll panel said.
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday had expressed dissatisfaction with the EC over enforcement of COVID-19 health safety norms during the ongoing West Bengal assembly election process, including campaigning. (PTI)
