Derek O’Brien opposes EC’s new Covid-19 marketing campaign restrictions

TMC chief Derek O’Brien criticized the Election Commission’s new Covid restrictions in a press convention right this moment. “Today the umpire said 7 pm to 10 am no campaigning, this is very suitable to those living in Lutyens bungalows in Delhi,” stated O’Brein, taking a jab on the Election Commission’s choice.
“They have breakfast in Delhi, fly down to Kolkata, do some meetings in heat & they will go back. This will expose people to COVID19”, O’Brien additional added.
Today the umpire stated 7 pm to 10 am no campaigning, that is very appropriate to these residing in Lutyens bungalows in Delhi. They have breakfast in Delhi, fly right down to Kolkata, do some conferences in warmth & they may return. This will expose individuals to COVID19: Derek O’Brien, TMC https://t.co/qKfhAxb6ho pic.twitter.com/gZgiGj43JG— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021
Earlier right this moment, the Election Commission of India issued an order to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in the course of the remaining phases of the meeting elections. The Commission has prolonged the silence interval for rallies, public conferences, road performs, nukkad sabhas, bike rallies or any gathering for campaigning functions to 72 hours earlier than the top of the polls for Phase 6, 7 and eight within the state of West Bengal.
In its order, the Election Commission issued a stern admonition to the political events for infrequent violations of the COVID pointers issued by the ballot physique in the course of the announcement of the meeting elections for the states of Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and UT of Puducherry.
Taking cognisance of the prevailing unprecedented coronavirus disaster within the nation, the Election Commission has requested candidates and political events to make sure absolute adherence to COVID pointers in letter and spirit. Violations, if any shall be sternly handled and motion, together with legal motion could be initiated as per the extant authorized framework.
The new pointers will probably be relevant for the final three phases of meeting elections in West Bengal on 22, 26 and 29 April. The subsequent and fifth section of polls will happen tomorrow, which implies campaigning for it’s already over as per present guidelines. The elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are already over by sixth April, ready for the outcomes on 2nd May.
The most variety of electors per sales space has been lowered to 1000 from 1500. Simultaneously, the amenities of casting the postal poll has been prolonged to PWD electors, 80+ 12 months previous, and COVID-19 suspect/optimistic sufferers.
The ballot physique has mandated the usage of masks, face protect, sanitizer, gloves by the polling authorities in the course of the course of. Likewise, voters have additionally been requested to mandatorily put on masks whereas casting their votes. Stock of reserve masks is stored on the cubicles for offering to default electors.
Thermal screenings of electors will probably be carried out by well being staff in any respect polling facilities. If anybody has temperature larger than regular temperature, he/she might want to come within the final hour of the ballot fastened for COVID-19 sufferers.