COVID-19 crisis: Opposition urges CEC to take informed decision on conducting Bihar polls

On Friday, opposition parties including RJD, Congress, RLSP and HAM wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora urging him to reassess conducting upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. Contending that COVID-19 situation in Bihar is “rapidly worsening”, parties called for an informed decision regarding holding elections. y requested CEC to evolve a mechanism that protects health of democracy as well as that of people. 

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Pointing out that COVID-19 pandemic has affected Bihar bly, political parties highlighted existence of 89 containment zones in Patna and lockdown being re-imposed in 16 districts of state. Currently, re are 21,764 confirmed vel coronavirus cases in Bihar out of which 14,018 patients have been discharged while 197 fatalities have been reported. Moreover, y claimed that re are many more infected people who haven't been tested. According to m, re was a possibility of Bihar having more than a million vel coronavirus cases by October-vember, when election is scheduled to take place.

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Opposition slams virtual election campaign

While ackwledging that people of Bihar were "erly waiting" to get rid of a government formed against mandate, political parties such as Congress and RJD questioned how Election Commission of India planned to ensure physical distancing of at least two yards during voting process. Moreover, y expressed apprehension that entire poll exercise can become a super spreer event. reafter, y mentioned that ruling parties h vocated prohibiting tritional election campaign methods and stressed on a virtual campaign through digital media.

Citing that only 34% of people own a smartphone, political parties contended it would be a "travesty of unpardonable proportion" to allow a campaign mode which is exclusionary by design. Moreover, y observed that ECI h t fixed expenditure limit for virtual political campaign. ting that it was constitutional mandate of ECI to ensure a level-playing field to all political parties and free and equal participation of voters, y affirmed that conducting elections as a mere formality would be a travesty of democratic process. For instance, opposition reckoned that lower voter turut shall have a damaging impact on democracy. 

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