Cong MLA demands special SOP for by-polls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2020: Congress MLA Kh Joykisan has urged both the Chief Electoral Officer and the State Government to formulate a special SOP to be enforced in the Assembly segments which would go to by-elections.

Speaking to media persons at Khoyathong today, Joykisan said that holding by-elections under the prevailing situation is very risky as people have already accepted prevalence of community transmission of COVID-19 in the State even though the Government is yet to make any official announcement on community transmission.

It is very much essential to limit the number of people participating in election campaigns/rallies.

It would be really hard to abide by social distancing norms during the election campaigns and such a scenario may lead to disastrous spike of COVID-19 cases in the State, Joykisan warned.

Pointing out that people strongly believe there is community transmission of COVID-19 in the State, the Congress MLA urged the Government to take up necessary steps for mass testing.

He also expressed keen desire to raise the number of beds in COVID care centres.

If the Government thinks that it is safe to hold election and there is no risk in gathering of people, the three Ima Keithels of Khwairamband should also been allowed to open, Joykisan said.

He also offered help in drawing up a separate SOP and modality for re-opening the Ima Keithels.

People have seen through social media and TV channels how markets have been re-opened in other countries.

The same may be applied in Manipur, Joykisan said.

With the guidelines for Unlock 5 already announced, several restrictions have been either eased or lifted.

It is highly advisable for everyone to be very watchful of COVID-19 but one cannot sit at home silently for months because the economic woes would pile up, Joykisan said.

Pointing out that prices of all essential commodities have spiked, he urged the new CAF&PD Minister to devise an effective mechanism for controlling prices of all essential commodities.

He then urged the authority concerned to issue work orders for all the works listed in the PWD's work programme for 2019-20 whose tender processes had also been completed.

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