Bihar: Rules tweaked to allow Covid-hit people to vote

PATNA: The electorate, even if infected or affected with coronavirus, will exercise their franchise in the forthcoming state assembly elections, authoritative sources in the state chief electoral officer (CEO) office said on Tuesday.
News agency PTI has also quoted a top functionary in Union law ministry saying that changes have been made in the Conduct of Election Rules to allow those suffering from Covid-19 to use postal ballot.
Sources said the Election Commission (EC) had approached the ministry to allow Covid-19 positive voters to use postal ballot to exercise their franchise.
“We have agreed to change the rules ... Recently we had allowed those above 80 years of age and people with disabilities to use postal ballot. In the same list, we have included Covid positive or those having symptoms,” PTI quoted the law ministry official as saying.
Meanwhile, sources said the EC has sought opinion from Bihar CEO H R Srinivasa on the proposal to include a new category of voters ‘Covid-19 suspects or affected persons’ in the state assembly polls. “The reply will be sent to the EC at the earliest,” a senior officer said.
The assembly elections in the state are due in October-November. The officer on condition of anonymity revealed that only those voters, who have been tested positive either in a government healthcare facility or one designated by the government as Covid-19 hospital, will avail the benefits of the new provision.
In addition, voters under ‘home quarantine’ or ‘institutional quarantine’ will also avail the new option. “The motive is that the voter turnout in the election is not affected by Covid-19 pandemic,” the officer posted in the CEO office added.
The EC is likely to issue a SOP on the use of ballot papers for Covid-19 positive patients for the state assembly polls. As per the new proposal, once the application is accepted, the voters will not be allowed to vote at his/her polling booth.
The EC is also considering alternative arrangements for voters in the containment zones due to Covid-19. “There is a strong possibility of advance voting in the containment zones,” the officer said, adding the number of polling booths would also be enhanced in order to maintain social distancing at polling booths.
The EC, sources said, has decided to increase the number of polling booths to ensure that social distancing is maintained during polling.
CEO Srinivasa couldn’t be contacted despite repeated attempts.
Meanwhile, EC’s proposal evoked sharp reaction from political parties. While JD(U) hailed the decision, the opposition RJD said the EC should initiate the process of election in the state only after Covid-19 pandemic is checked.
JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, “We welcome the EC move as those affected with the novel coronavirus will also be eligible to exercise their franchise.”
But Shami Iqbal of RJD said the EC’s decision to hold election in Bihar was not in the larger interest of the people till the pandemic was fully under control.
“Whatever the alternative arrangement made, saving the lives of people is more important than holding elections,” he added.