New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) As the Novel Coronavirus has forced a new normal with another 86,052 cases and 1,141 deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the Election Commission on Friday gave green signal to Bihar Assembly polls and announced the election schedule for over 7.6 crore voters. This will be the largest election in the world, in terms of voters, during the pandemic.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, in a press conference in the National Capital, said that during the initial stages of the pandemic, around 60 countries postponed their elections, but now several nations, including the United States, have taken up the challenge. “The pandemic has forced a new normal in all aspects of life, ” Mr Arora said.The Supreme Court also rejected a petition, seeking postponement of the polls.
The EC issued a new set of rules.The polling time has been increased by an hour and postal ballot extended to elderly above 85 years of age, persons with disabilities and COVID-19 suspected patients. Also, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will remain enforced.
As per the Union Health Ministry, the case tally of India has climbed 58,18,571, while the death toll surged to 92,290. The total number of recovered stands at 47,56,165 in numbers and 81.74 in percentage. The active cases are now 9,70,116, around 17 per cent of the total cases.
India lost one of its legendary playback singers S P Balasubrahmanyam due to COVID-19. The 74-year-old versatile singer breathed his last in Chennai hospital. The condition of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is infected by both COVID-19 and dengue, is better now, an official said. West Bengal Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Director General of Delhi Prisons Sandeep Goel tested positive for the contagion.
State-wise, Maharashtra has recorded maximum 12,82,963 cases and 34,737 deaths, followed by 6,54,385 infections and 5,558 fatalities in Andhra Pradesh and 5,63,691 cases and 9,076 deaths in Tamil Nadu. The Maharashtra government has decided to limit the use of remdesivir injections in the treatment of COVID-19 infection.
In Delhi, the government directed the officials to retest all symptomatic patients, who have tested negative on rapid antigen tests. The Ministry of AYUSH approved a proposal for carrying out a clinical study to assess the role of Vasa and Guduchi in therapeutic management of symptoms in positive patients.
In sports, Cricket Australia postponed a one-off Test against Afghanistan and an ODI series against New Zealand, citing complexity of scheduling international matches.
Globally, the United States remains at the top with more than 71 lakh cases and over two lakh deaths. Brazil at third spot has recorded over 46 lakh cases and more than 1.39 lakh deaths.
