Assam: Surge before D-Day poses big challenge for poll panel

GUWAHATI: A sharp rise in Covid-19 positive cases in Assam, just a week ahead of counting day on May 2 for the recently concluded state assembly election, has posed a huge challenge for the state election commission.
Taking serious note of this, the state chief electoral officer (CEO) has prepared a protocol for counting day and is now waiting for the approval of the Election Commission of India, which is likely to come in a couple of days.
Lakhinandan Saharia, joint CEO, joint CEO, said, “We have taken into consideration a number of factors like the health of officials, other personnel and counting agents. Their health is a priority and full medical support would be provided to them in case of any emergencies.”
He said both EVM votes and postal ballots would be counted on that day. “There will be no change of counting venues as these have been notified after discussion with the stakeholders concerned,” he said.
The size of the hall would decide on the number of counting tables, officials, other personnel and counting agents to be placed inside the venue. “We have to complete the process in adherence to Covid protocols,” he added. Moreover, he said the state CEO has planned to keep officials on reserve to deal with any possible adverse situation. “For example, earlier we used to deploy 100 officials in a counting hall and keep 20 on reserve. But, this year, we have planned to keep more persons on reserve so that they can be substituted if anybody gets infected,” he said. The joint CEO said officials, including counting agents, would be tested for the virus 48-72 hours before counting. However, he said, the plans might differ from district to district as per the Covid-19 situation of the respective district. “Some districts have fewer cases while others have more,” he pointed out.