Election In States Must Be Postponed
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2022-01-02 14:51:33
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Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
View all posts by this Author
It is regrettable that as per the statement of the Election Commission, the ensuing elections in several states are not going to be postponed as all political parties are against such a move. With Covid cases surging at a frightening pace (30 to 40 per cent everyday) in some states, and with the Omicron threat (that variant of the virus is said to spread 5 to 6 times faster) looming large, the next few months are going to be very tough for the nation and holding elections at this time is not a wise move.
As is being seen in UP, election rallies by the big two parties, the BJP and the SP, are attracting lakhs of people. Most of those who attend these rallies are seen without masks and physical distancing cannot be maintained at such events. These rallies are potential super spreaders. If the politicians have the good of the people at heart, they would immediately put a stop to these rallies.
States are rightly putting restrictions on large gatherings and closing down public parks and entertainment spaces. They are also restricting crowding in public transport, closing schools and colleges and asking offices and malls to operate at 50% capacity. But if election rallies are held with thousands, even lakhs, of people attending, what is the use of such restrictions?
The heavens would not fall if the term of the present assembly in all states due to go to polls are extended by a few months. Elections can be held when the situation becomes normal once again and the threat to public health subsides.
If the politicians and the parties do not listen, the Election Commission (EC) should take a firm decision on its own. After all, it is an independent body. If the EC fails to take a decision on postponing the elections, the Supreme Court must step in. For, the cost in terms of the threat to public health and the damage to the economy if these rallies and the election crowding results in a massive Covid wave will be back-breaking for the nation.
