The Election Commission of India (ECI)
Saturday announced the schedule for the assembly elections in Goa, Punjab,
Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. While announcing the elections
schedule, Sushil Chandra, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, on Saturday
announced that all elected officials and employees will be vaccinated under the
frontline category workers with ‘precautionary dose in view of the rising
threat of COVID-19’.

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur elections from February 10, counting on March 10

From January 10, India will start administering the
precautionary dose of the vaccine to healthcare workers, frontline workers and
those above 60 years of age with comorbidities.

While Uttar Pradesh will go to the polls in
seven phases from February 10 to March 7, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will vote
in a single phase on February 14. Manipur, on the other hand, will vote in two
phases on Feb 27 and March 3. The counting of votes will be held on March 10,
the poll body added.

Also Read: COVID-19: No need to register for third dose, says Indian government

As ECI announced the dates for assembly
elections, India recorded nearly 1.42 lakh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, reported
Indian Express.

Senior citizens can vote by postal ballot 

Announcing measures to be taken by the ECI
to ensure the safety of officials, security personnel who will be responsible
for conducting the poll, and voters, Chandra said that the senior citizens
above 80 years of age, persons with disabilities and all the COVID-19 patients
can vote by postal ballot.

Also Read: Assembly elections 2022: Key highlights from Election Commission press conference

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the ECI
has also put a ban on physical political rallies and roadshows till January 15
to curb any further spread of the virus.

Chandra also said that the assembly
elections in all five states will be completed in total seven phases and will
be held between February 10 and March 7. He added that the result will come out
on March 10.

Also Read: How COVID has impacted the 2022 Assembly elections

Meanwhile, since political leaders
contracting the virus derailed campaigns, political parties like BJP and
Congress decided to conduct digital campaigns.