Ahead of elections, Hyderabad discusses procedure to conduct everything with Covid-19 in view

Last updated on February 21st, 2023 at 11:41 am

Ahead of elections: With coronavirus in the picture, polling officials are trying to plan out the elections in a way that lets the infected section come for vote. The polling officials have revealed that the tricky area will be by GHMC where nearly 3,000 to 4,000 covid positive patients will be looking to cast their vote. 

It is the area where daily, there is an increase of 100-150 cases in the city. It is the increasing number of covid positive patients who will be troubling the officials especially when it comes to making arrangements for them so that no one else comes in contact with them. 

According to a report by the Times Now, the polling booths have to be prepared in a duration of 11 days and it should be made safe for the infected people coming to cast their votes. It is being estimated that around 2000 of 3000 people will be coming to register their votes. 

The team of another Indian daily, the New Indian Express talked to one of the officials involved in the polling process  at Dubbaka constituency who said,“We conducted the postal ballots ahead of the polls by first identifying all the patients intending to vote. A tour schedule was planned as all of their homes had to be visited in vehicles which had the ballot boxes and the polling officer and gunmen.”

The state election committee will soon release the plan of action that will have to be adhered by the most sensitive age group which will essentially include elederly, disabled and those who are infected with the virus. 

Recently eleven infected patients were taken in an ambulance to the polling booth and were asked to cover themselves in PPE kits but it will be a huge task if this has to be repeated for the GHMC area. The GHMC area has 63 containment zones and most of these are in different zones which is even more difficult for the officiers to control. 

In total, six general observers for the GHMC polls were appointed by the Telangana State Election Commission yesterday. The lost includes the following- School Education Department Director A. Sridevasena, Special Secretary to Government, Tribal Welfare Department E. Sridhar, and Joint Secretary to Environment, Forests, Science and Technology M. Prashanti, Industries Commissioner K. Manicka Raj, AIDS Control Society Director Preeti Meena and PR & RD Department Deputy Secretary Aisha Masrat Khanam.

Telangana is one of the worst hit states of the country and experts say that it is mostly due to the early mismanagement of the state officials. Another reason for this extreme circumstance was the huge number of migrants present in the state that were uncontrollably being shifted to the home s without the state taking any responsibility. 

But after the Bhar elections, the state officials have shown optimism in proper management of the elections even if it means going a few extra miles. 

Read More:- Covid-19 Vaccine tracking: Airports and airlines prepare for the mammoth task ahead of vaccine distribution