Election activity is heating up and yes Covid cases are
still being detected everyday. This in discriminatory movement of people can
cause serious problems if precautions are not taken. Politicians are moving
from door to door and social distancing has gone out of the window. Should
politicians learn the importance of social distancing first with campaigning
about to start in full swing? Would it be too far to ask for the election code
of conduct to include protocols that needed to be followed in these times and
importantly also for punishments if they were not followed? The reactions from
regular folk, the Goan on the street who went to work every day to earn his or
her daily bread was interesting.
Avelino de Sa a disability rights activity was of the
opinion the election commission should ensure that SOP were strictly followed
and punishment of one month no campaigning should be imposed on those who did
not follow the SOP. He said it was shocking that even the Chief Minister did
not wear a face mask many times; he said “He should lead by example.”
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Dolcy Alvares a young voter said “When it comes to
politicians they think they are allowed to do anything and break all the rules.
These rules are only for the common man. For eg our very own Prime Minister of
India held the Kumbh Mela when Corono virus was at its peak. So you see, when
our leader itself doesn’t follow any protocols how are we to expect any
discipline from other politicians. We have already experienced, and reality hit
us hard when India lost so many lives in the 2nd wave and it looks like none of
this has made any impact on them”. She went on to say that none was great and
that an offense was an offense and it had to be punishable when anyone crosses
its boundaries or breaks any kind of rules even if it’s a Minister or a
politician because it was a matter of life and death.
Dr Annie Gomes was blunt and said politicians ought to
understand they were responsible citizens and therefore stop such campaigning
which did not follow the SOP’S. The election commission, she said, should take
a call on this.
Abisha Fernandes, another young voter said political parties
were running door to door, organising campaigns to get votes and not to serve
and solve the problems of the public, but to fill their pockets with money. She
said “Forget about ministers and locals, our CM gave an open invitation to
Covid 3rd wave in his recent held rally in Mayem accompanied by Mayem MLA.
There were no masks and social distancing went out of the window. Covid cases
are increasing day by day and politicians are starting their campaigns without
following protocols”. She bemoaned the double standards where the police fine
locals for not wearing a mask while letting politicians break the law. She felt
the election code of conduct should punish all the politicians who don’t follow
the proper protocols and stop their campaigning and rallies for more than a
week.
Salma Fernandes was of the opinion that door to door
campaigning should stop completely. A spoke in cases could lead to the third
wave, which would be disastrous. She said “ It’s very important for politicians
to understand that they can’t risk one’s life without following social
distancing and the protocols. They should think of unique and different ways to
reach out to their voters without going out in groups. If the protocols are not
followed by politicians they should be slapped with a fine”.
Shimron Nathan felt with elections coming up all the
politicians were doing more good in 1 week than they did in their whole term.
She said “I do agree the elections will spark up the Covid cases because of the
campaigning but the politicians can prevent this by taking their campaigns
online. They can look to social media and its various platforms. If rules are
broken action should be taken but then again there is corruption. So protocols
can be ignored and nothing would be done. It’s a matter of influence at some
point. There would be visible disobedience to the protocol but they always
somehow get away with it. We shouldn’t have to make more rules to follow the
fundamental ones”.
Rohan Goes, an adventure photographer, felt it was important
to conduct elections but it was also important to follow safety protocols. He
felt it was everyone’s responsibility to keep social distancing wherever
possible. Digital campaigning, he felt would be great if the cases are on rise.
Sabir Shaikh a college student said “Covid has made the
state numb, we can’t b sure about anything in this day, it’s really risky to
resume suddenly in one shot, this not only applies to the normal people but
also to the politicians. There shouldn’t be different rules for different
people. There should be strict protocols for the politicians because they are
moving out for campaigning without precautions. If they don’t follow the
protocol obviously they have to b punished as the police fine locals with a
mask.”
Steven Vaz a musician said “I strongly feel there should be
strict protocols for election campaigning. Stopping election campaigning will
affect the new genuine candidates who really want to stand for Goa, as no one
knows them and the election is around 5 months away. Strong action should be
taken on those not following the protocols, it may be the current MLA or CM. Videos
and photos are going viral of campaigning, gatherings, corner meeting where
people don’t follow social distancing and don’t even wear a mask. We all will
suffer if the third wave hits Goa. This is a case especially for small
businesses and entrepreneurs. Extending curfew weekly has been a routine
without meaning”.
Anushka D ‘Souza, a young student said as civilians, the
government expected them to follow rules and guidelines laid down by them and
it was only fair that authorities themselves follow the protocols. She said “
The ministers should be prime examples to the people by conducting their
campaign in such a way that not only ensures the safety of the people but also
instills in us the importance of social distancing. Hence, the Election
Commission must strictly observe the ministers and punish those who break the
protocols by either deducting a day or two from their campaigns or a fine. Why
must authority figures be exempt from such punishment?” Fair point.
One can only hope all the people involved do what is
expected of them because not doing so would be disastrous for everyone.
