According to all available indications, five state assembly elections, including the all-important UP elections, are unlikely to be postponed in view of the Elections Commission’s interactions with the Union Health ministry.
The commission held a stocktaking meeting with Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Monday, during which the commission received a fair idea on the pandemic situation and vaccination coverage in poll-bound states. The panel is learnt to have asked for stronger vaccination coverage in these states.
The health secretary is learnt to have told the commission that while Omicron spreads fast, it doesn’t cause severe symptoms or lead to hospitalisation and responds well to home treatment. The health ministry also said that Omicron was under control in poll-bound states, according to sources.
The Allahabad High court had last week urged the EC to consider postponing elections and suspending rallies in UP in view of Omicron, the Union health secretary is learnt to have indicated to the panel that there was no reason to panic.