With just weeks left for the string of assembly polls, the election commission hinted on Thursday that the elections will be held as per schedule. All political parties in Uttar Pradesh have expressed themselves in favour of this, while CEC Sushil Chandra said the Covid-related guidelines would have to be adhered to. This clears the air about a likely postponement of the elections. Having come this far, it would be in the fitness of things if the political parties exercise restraint and reduce the massive rallies and processions.
These are the days of virtual meetings. Television screens should suffice to reach messages to one and all, though candidates will still have to reach out to every ward and village. This should largely reduce the money spent for elections. In other words, the pandemic season is offering an opportunity to change the election campaign modes in tune with the changing times. Yet, politicians are keen on showing-off by using the campaign as another excuse for their indulgences even as this poses a health risk to the people. Gathering huge crowds is no more a requirement. Large-scale fund collections are done by parties and candidates on this count. This makes both parties and candidates obligated to money bags, contractors, businessmen and other vested interests, who would extract their pounds of flesh once a party forms the government. Parties are taking crores from ticket aspirants for “campaign”. The entire political system and life itself are getting hugely vitiated by such acts and this worsens the corruption scenario. Since there is scope for politicians to pocket a substantial part of such collections, they are game with all these. It should be up to the Election Commission, an autonomous body, to call the bluff of unscrupulous, wayward politicians.
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra made it clear that, among other regulations, the EC would insist on at least one Covid dose as a requirement for people to come for voting at polling booths. Those who are hesitant about vaccination would either have to fall in line or keep out of the voting process. In UP, for instance, some 50 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, the daily Covid positive cases were only around 100 a day and Omicron cases were just four so far. Active cases in the state stood at less than 500. The other poll-bound states too are having such low numbers. Holding the polls as per schedule is justified while strict regulations must be in place. No mega shows must be allowed.