This story is from October 17, 2020

Manipur bypolls: Campaigning amid Covid triggers health worry

The stepped-up canvassing for the November 7 bypolls to five assembly seats has triggered a concern over spreading of Covid-19, with the number of cases and fatalities already seeing a spike over the past few weeks.
Manipur bypolls: Campaigning amid Covid triggers health worry
People attend a bypoll rally in Manipur
IMPHAL: The stepped-up canvassing for the November 7 bypolls to five assembly seats has triggered a concern over spreading of Covid-19, with the number of cases and fatalities already seeing a spike over the past few weeks.
Till Thursday, Manipur registered 14,378 Covid cases and 104 deaths. As 11,081 patients have recovered from the disease, the cumulative number of active cases is at 3,193.
Local transmission is also on the rise in the state.
Despite the standing SOP and enhanced awareness programmes up by government agencies, civil bodies, local clubs and NGOs across the state, there appears to be only a partial response among the public with some of them not maintaining social distancing. Many have thronged markets, street corners and other public places without masks, even as the police department carried out drives against SOP violators widespread.
Amid the rising cases, canvassing for the bypolls to Lilong and Wangjing Tentha in Thoubal district, Wangoi in Imphal West, Saitu in Kangpokpi and Singhat in Churachandpur has also gained momentum with leaders and likely candidates holding rallies and door-to-door campaigns.
Various prominent civil bodies of the state had demanded a delay in bypolls in view of the rising cases. Many residents in the five seats urged the government and the authorities to take up measures to ensure people there follow strict SOPs.
“Large gatherings have started in our area and poll campaign is also picking up. I’m really scared of spreading Covid cases if all these activities go unchecked,” said Raza Thongkhongmayum, a voter of Muslim-dominated Lilong constituency. “The government should immediately intervene and take action to ensure that people are made aware of the SOPs,” added Raza.

Many people also urged the authorities that the set of guidelines on conducting polls during the Covid-19 pandemic issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) should be followed by all at the poll bound seats.
Among other points, the panel said excluding security personnel, a only five people, including candidates, are permitted for conducting door-to-door campaign. Public gatherings/rallies may be conducted, subject to adherence to Covid-19 guidelines, which the district election officer (DEO) should ensure. The DEO should, in advance, identify dedicated grounds for public gathering with clearly marked entry/exit points and put markers to ensure social distancing norms by the attendees.
Further, the nodal district health officer should be involved in the process to ensure that all Covid-related guidelines are adhered to by all concerned in the district.
The DEO and district superintendent of police should ensure that the number of attendees does not exceed the limit prescribed by state disaster management authority for public gatherings.
The DEO should also depute sector health regulators to oversee that Covid-19 instructions/guidelines are being followed during these meetings.
Contesting political parties, including the ruling BJP, however, said that they are taking all measures to ensure that people follow the SOPs and ECI guidelines during electioneering. “We have convened several rounds of meetings to extend all possible efforts to make the public follow the SOP and ECI guidelines during campaign,” Manipur unit BJP vice-president N Nimbus Singh told TOI.
Nimbus added that all those in charge of the party’s byelection campaigns have also been strictly instructed to ensure the people wear face masks and maintain social distancing during rallies.
The Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA), a conglomerate of nine parties, including BJP, had on October 6 urged parties and candidates to strictly follow the all standing SOPs and guidelines.
The state health department said maximum efforts have been extended to flatten the curve. “Apart from all health measures being taken up to fight Covid-19 by the department, we have also enhanced our information, education and communication (IEC) programmes at various parts of the state, including the poll-bound assembly seats, spreading awareness on the pandemic,” the department’s additional director and spokesperson Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang said.
A senior official of Manipur chief electoral office said they will take action if a complaint is lodged with the returning official concerned.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA