July 28, 2021: The Election Commission held a review meeting with the Chief Electoral Officers of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh for advance planning ahead of Assembly elections in these five states.

The preliminary meeting held at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi was focused on various thematic issues including Assured Minimum Facilities at the polling stations, ease of registration arrangements for voter facilitation, electoral roll, timely resolution of grievances, arrangements of EVMs, VVPATs and postal ballot facility for senior citizens and people with disabilities (PwDs) and Covid mitigation plan.

Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commission asked the CEOs to clear all pending applications with regard to voter registration. He also stressed on rationalisation of polling stations in view of the Covid situation and said that all issues related to postal ballots for senior citizens and PwDs should be resolved. He said that the states should learn and adapt innovations and best practices in election management from other states where elections have been held during the pandemic.

The five states will go to polls next year.