Kolkata, Apr 29 (UNI) The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday wrote to Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding 'inadequacies' in its direction for counting of votes on May 2.
The party said no provision has been made for submission of negative RT-PCR test by polling officers and CAPF personnel.
“We've submitted a memorandum regarding the counting process because they've (Election Commission) introduced that all counting agents and candidates should be tested for Covid-19 but no such instructions are there for polling agents or central forces. That is what we wanted to point out,” TMC MP Saugata Roy said.
The TMC wrote, “In furtherance of our letter dated 28 April 2021. we write to you to note the following lacunae and/orinadequacies in the Directions NO. 464/'NST/2021/EPS dated 28 April 2021 ("Directions"):
The Directions mandate submission Of negative test report Of Covid-19 Of election agent,counting agent and/or candidate prior to such election agent' counting agent and/or candidate being permitted to enter the counting hall. However. surprisingly no such provision has been made for submission of negative test report of Covid•19 by polling officers present in the counting halls.
Further. 23,000 24.000 central Armed Police Forces CCAPF") personnel will be deployed outside the counting hatt on 2 May 2021. Shockingly, there is an absence of any provision in the Directions for use of PPE kits and submission of negative test report of Covid-19 by such CAPF personnel thereby endangering théir health and life. ECI seems to be oblivious to the safety Of the life and health concerns Of the CAPF personnel.
Lastly, the Directions only provide that If required, postal ballot may be counted in a separate hall under the supervision of the Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer. However, it is of utmost importance that the counting of votes cast by postal ballot should be completed before the counting of votes cast on the EVM machine. Due to the large number of votes cast by postal ballot in view Of the ongoing pandemic, the postal ballot counting will require additional time and therefore the same should be counted before counting of votes on the EVM machine.
“In the circumstances. we cait upon you to fOrthwith address the aforesaid lacunae/inadequacies in the Directions and issue appropriate additional directions to address the same,” the letter added.
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