8.55 Crore Women And 24.9 Lakh First- Timers Among 18.34 Crore Voters In Upcoming Polls In Five States

Over eight lakh women, nearly 25 lakh first time voters, postal ballots for senior citizens above 80 years besides adequate Covid precautions are special features of the five state assembly elections announced on Saturday.

Taking note of the prevailing situation, the Election Commission has undertaken an elaborate exercise for the assembly elections in five states.
Elections will be held for 403 assembly seats in UP, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand, 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa.

The Election Commission has mandated that at least one polling station managed exclusively by women shall be set up in every Assembly constituency.

There are about 18.34 crore electors, including service voters, who will be voting this year in the five states. Of these, 8.55 crore are women voters.
There are also 24.9 lakh first-time voters registered in all these states.

Senior citizens above 80, persons with disabilities and Covid-19 patients can vote by postal ballot.

Some of the factors considered by the Election Commission for the state elections were — Covid-19 safe and hassle-free election with maximum voter participation.

In order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the election body has laid down protocols to hold polls in these states.

As the Covid cases showed a resurgence, especially in view of the new variant of concern-Omicron, Commission held meetings with the union Health Secretary and health experts.

It also held discussions with the Union Home Secretary on this issue.

After taking all these views and the ground situation, the Commission decided to announce elections to the five states — Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

"All polling stations will be equipped with Covid-mitigation facilities," said Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra in a presser. Chief Secretaries of all poll-going states have been directed to accelerate the first and second dose of vaccination to all eligible citizens above 18 years.

According to the Election Commission, as on January 7, 2022 in Goa, more than 95.8 per cent people have been vaccinated with both doses.

In Uttarakhand, 99.67 per cent of people have got their first dose and 82.39 per cent have got the second dose. In Uttar Pradesh, 89.35 per cent of the population had been administered the first dose and more than 52 per cent had taken both doses.

In Punjab, 81.9 per cent had been given the first dose of vaccination and 45.6 per cent covered by both doses.

In Manipur, 59.6 per cent had been jabbed with the first dose while 44.8 per cent had been administered both doses.

In absolute figures, as on January 7, 2022, more than 15 crore people in these five states together have got the first dose of vaccine and more than 9 crore had been administered both doses.

Besides, the Commission has directed that all central/state government officials deployed for election duty shall be doubly vaccinated. On the recommendation of ECI, the Union Health Ministry has issued orders on February 8, 2021 that all election officials and employees will be treated as frontline workers and all eligible officials shall be given a precautionary booster dose accordingly.

"We aim to conduct Covid-safe elections in five states with maximum voter participation with extensive preparations," Chandra said.

The Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in the five states with the announcement of elections. No roadshows, padyatras, cycle or bike rallies and processions shall be allowed till January 15 in view of Covid situation.

The situation will be reviewed and fresh instructions to be issued later, Chandra said.

It is mandatory for political parties to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases selected as poll candidates and as to why this particular candidate was selected.