Page 202 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

The then CEC Sushil Chandra, the then EC & present CEC Rajiv Kumar and EC Anup Chandra Pandey helping a person with disabilities
on the bus ramp, Goa Legislative Assembly Elections 2022

The elections involved a total of 18.34 crore voters least one dose of vaccination. More than 15 crore people
spread out across 690 constituencies in five states. Out of in five states taken together had received at least one
them 133 were reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates dose, and nine crore both doses. Double vaccination was
and 23 for Scheduled Tribe candidates. mandatory for all election officials, who being treated as
frontline workers, were also eligible for booster dose.
The Commission identified three broad objectives for
conduct of these elections - Maximum number of electors allowed at any polling
a) COVID-safe elections, station was 1250, instead of the conventional 1500. While
b) hassle-free, comfortable voting experience, the number of polling stations was enhanced in all poll
bound states, the increase was less than 10 percent, except
c) maximum voter participation.
in Uttar Pradesh where there was an increase of 18.49
A mild wave of COVID-19 was unfolding by the turn of the percent. As usual, poll time, except in Left Wing Extremism
year, albeit with low hospitalisation, and fewer affected areas, was increased by an hour. COVID-19
mortalities. Due to robust immunisation programme, a patients, confirmed or suspected, were allowed to cast
high percentage of people in those states had received at their votes under medical supervision in the last hour.

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