PTFC-19 urges Govt to cease all activities relating to bye-election
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2020: People's Taskforce for COVID-19 (PTFC-19) has heavily criticized the State Government for its efforts to conduct the Bye-Election of some constituencies amidst the COVID pandemic, in a press release issued by the body today.

PTFC-19 cited that the rise in positive cases among people with no travel history and daily increase in mortality amongst the public is a result of the State Government's inefficacies and inability to come up with a specific policy to fight to the disease.

The State Government has not issued proper directives to the public about its plan to address problems of daily wage earners, unavailability of essential items, price rise, lack of work opportunity due to restriction in movement, and the closure of educational institutes for the last 150 days.

Further, the Government's decision to conduct bye-election at this time of crisis will lead to massive uncontrolled spread of the disease, it warned.

The taskforce also urged the State Chief Electoral Officer to brief the Central Election Commissioner about the status of COVID in the State and put a hold on the various election preparations.

The announcement of tentative election dates for the State will surely lead to political rallies, door to door campaigns, and various other canvassing methods which will result in flouting of all SOPs regarding COVID, the press release stated.

PTFC-19, along with India Red Cross Society, Manipur State Branch, Indian Medical Association and Association for Healthcare providers of India, also organized multiple awareness campaigns at Thanga and Kumbi Setupur Maning Leikai in association with Modern Ideal Youth Union (MIYUTH) and Setupur Youth Club (SYC) respectively.

The awareness programme attended by resource persons from the organizations laid emphasis on the various SOPs which will serve as prevention from the disease.

It also urged the public to form COVID task forces in the locality and pay special attention to expecting mothers, senior citizens and also ensure that all SOPs are followed.

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