BHUBANESWAR: The State Election Commission (SEC) of Odisha urged the DGP on Thursday to ensure strict adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines, citing worries about massive public gatherings during the submission of nomination papers by candidates for panchayat elections.
SEC Secretary R.N. Sahu said in a letter to state DGP Sunil Bansal that the Commission has given down Covid-19 norms to be implemented at various phases of the election process, and that DSP rank officers have been nominated as Covid observers in districts.
"The nomination period is now open, and it will run from January 17 to January 21. People are reportedly coming in large numbers to file nominations and hold public meetings, which is in violation of the guidelines "He brought it up. Because a high number of candidates are likely to file nominations on Friday, Sahu instructed the DGP to issue required instructions to all SPs, including Covid observers, to guarantee that big gatherings do not occur in public locations.
According to the SEC's criteria, either the candidate or one proposer can enter the election officer's office and file nomination papers while maintaining adequate social distance. For the purpose of filing a nomination, only one vehicle is permitted.
The state recorded 10,368 new Covid-19 cases and seven deaths on Thursday. As a result, the total number of active cases has risen to 88,346 and the death toll has risen to 8,501.
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