UK postpones local elections to 2021 as COVID-19 cases rise to 802

British government has decided to postpone local elections after Election Commission’s request due to evolving situation of coronavirus. United Kingdom has reported 802 cases of coronavirus and confirmed 11 deaths due to pandemic. Election Commission (EC) wrote to government on March 12 highlighting impact of coronavirus on polls scheduled in May and requested to delay it.

“In light of current and emerging situation around Covid-19 in UK, I wanted to write to set out Commission’s concerns about real risks to successful delivery of scheduled May 7, 2020 elections,” wrote Bob Posner, Chief Executive.

Posner said that Commission has been in close contact with key stakeholders across electoral community to assess risks of holding local elections in May. Chief Executive of EC warned that risks are significant and raise serious concerns about continuing polls as per timetable.

“Clearly any decisions to delay elections which are due is significant and would t rmally be desirable; however, we are in unprecedented times,” said Posner.

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After government approved request to postpone elections to 2021, Election Commission welcomed decision and said that it will allow local authorities to focus ir efforts on delivering front line public services and mitigates risks to voters and campaigners.

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New epicenter

While China has registered a significant decline in rate of coronavirus cases, Europe has been witnessing a dramatic rise. World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, during daily press briefing, said that epicenter has shifted from China to Europe.

“Europe has w become epicenter of pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than rest of world combined, apart from China. More cases are w being reported every day than were reported in China at height of its epidemic,” said ham Tedros Ghebreyesus.

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