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Health rules flouted in municipality polls


Published : 28 Dec 2020 09:29 PM | Updated : 29 Dec 2020 01:45 AM

Elections to various locals government bodies are being held countrywide amid Covid-19 pandemic and allegedly ignoring the heal guidelines prescribed by the government.

Experts expressed their concern over the apprehension of further infection due to violation of health rules when the virus is being intensified again in different countries of the world.

They said election campaigns are being conducted by the candidates and their followers without maintaining proper health guidelines. 

Elections to 24 municipalities were held yesterday (Monday) while schedules for the voting of around 200 more municipalities have also been announced by the Election Commission (EC).

Therefore, election fervour is existing almost all over the country. All the candidates and their supporters are conducting campaign continuously without maintaining any kind of health rules during the corona period. They are bringing out processions and holding public gatherings in the electoral areas. The candidates are visiting every voter’s house, shaking hands with voters, even hugging each other as part of the campaign.

Witnesses said that candidates were conducting campaigns ignoring the health guidelines. It seems that there is no coronavirus in the country, they added.

Seeking anonymity several mayoral candidates said that the leaders and workers were instructed to abide by the hygiene rules in the campaign. But it is not always possible to maintain the rules. Many people get together in processions or street meetings. Besides, voters and leaders have to shake hands as part of the courtesy.

Another candidate said, “Many people think candidates are not people-friendly if they do not shake hands. That is why there is no alternative to handshake with the voters. 

“Besides, when people come forward to shake hand or embrace, it is not possible to avoid them. Otherwise they would take it negatively”, he added.

A mayoral candidate in the country’s northern zone said, “Nothing remains stopped during Corona period. Many elections have already held in the country in the recent times. There was no problem and it is expected that no problem will be created this time also.”

“We don’t allow any Covid-19 positive patient in our election campaign,” he added.

However, several mayors and mayoral candidates at a recent webinar expressed their dissatisfaction over the election campaign and as well as over the EC activities.

They raised question about how it is possible to take part in the election by maintaining health rules and social distancing. Contacting with people is the key to the election campaign.

So, some of the candidates said, “The elections could have been postponed until the situation gets normal.”

However, local government and health experts said that the election also could go on as everything is going on amid the pandemic. But following the guidelines is a must to do.

While talking about the issue, local government expert Dr. Tofayel Ahmed said, “The issue was needed to be raised before the schedules were announced. Those who have announced the schedule have thought about it. Everything is going on during coronavirus pandemic except education institutions. In that case, the elections may continue. However, appropriate steps must be taken to maintain proper health guidelines.”

Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Prof. Dr. Shahidullah Sikder advised the candidates and the EC officials to be sincere about following the health rules amid the pandemic.