MAPUSA
Expressing concern over the rising Covid-19 numbers in the State, the Congress, on Tuesday, requested the Election Commission of India to think out of the box to ensure that the polls are conducted in a safe and secure manner and also ensure a level playing field for all political parties in the State.
North Goa District Congress Committee, President, Vijay Bhike said the third wave was only just beginning in Goa and the rest of the country and the worst was yet to come.
He pointed to the situation in the US and the UK, where the situation was so bad that everyone was falling sick at the same time forcing several establishments to shut after all their employees called in sick at the same time.
“What’s happening in the UK and the US should not be repeated here. Imagine a situation where election officials or the entire leadership of a political party or an entire battalion of police contracts Covid. There will be no one left to even carry out essential services,” Bhike said.
“Questions remain on whether the state administration and election authorities are adequately geared up to tackle the Covid crisis that is likely to peak at the time of elections. Does the election commission plan to hold polls at a time when everyone is quarantining at home having been infected with Covid?” he added.
He feared that failure to take adequate precautions will result in a lower voter turnout which will put the credibility of the elections in question.
