The Election Commission of India on September 28 announced the schedule for bypolls to five assembly constituencies in Assam, three in Meghalaya and one each in Mizoram and Nagaland, on October 30.
In Assam, byelections will be held in Gossaigaon, Bhabanipur, Tamulpur, Mariani and Thowra assembly constituencies.
In Meghalaya, the bypolls will be held in Mawryngkneng (ST), Mawphlang (ST) and Rajabala assembly constituencies.
Bypolls will be held in Tuirial (ST) constituency in Mizoram while in Nagaland, the byelections will be held in Shamtorr-Chessore (ST) constituency.
The bypolls will also be held in 3 Lok Sabha seats and 20 other assembly seats in various states. The counting will take place on November 2.
The Election Commission said that all election related activities will be strictly complied as per the COVID-19 guidelines issued by competent authorities. Social distancing and use of mask, sanitizers, thermal scanning, face shield, hand gloves, etc, as per COVID-19 protocol, have to be complied with.
“SDMA is responsible for all preventive and mitigation measures to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocol. Chief secretary and DG and district level authorities will be responsible for monitoring, supervision and compliance of COVID-19 guidelines,” the ECI said.
The commission also said that all polling personnel and election officials, including the private persons, engaged in election duty shall be double vaccinated before taking their services.
“If a candidate or political party violates any of these guidelines, no more permission shall be given to the concerned candidate/party for rallies, meetings. If any star campaigner violates the COVID protocols, he shall not be allowed to campaign further in that constituency/district,” the commission said.
