PANJIM: The State Government’s Tika Utsav (vaccine festival) that’s extended up to April 21 has come under the scanner of the State Election Commission (SEC). SEC will now monitor the programme to ensure it is conducted in a apolitical manner.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the SEC has instructed both the District Collectors and Municipal Council Election Officers, to immediately suspend the COVID-19 vaccination programme in poll bound municipal areas of Mapusa, Margao, Mormugao, Sanguem and Quepem, if any violations are reported.
The Congress party on Tuesday had alleged politicisation of the vaccination programme in the State, even after the model code of conduct has been imposed in wake of municipal elections.
SEC said that it has granted permission to conduct ‘Tika Utsav’ as per Government of India guidelines in municipal areas where elections are due, initially from April 11-14 and later extended till April 21, after receiving request from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS).
“The Commission granted the permission subject to that, there shall not be any political patronage at the venue of COVID vaccination and there should not be any advertisement showcasing the achievements of any candidate or any political functionaries or parties and no impression should be given or allowed to be created that such welfare measures or works are being undertaken by the Government to influence the voters,” SEC said.
The SEC informed that the Commission will monitor that the programme is apolitical manner and any leaflets or banner or appeals in social media of any programme by candidates, party functionaries, shall be strictly prohibited.
The Tika Utsav has been held across various village panchayats to cover all the beneficiaries above the age of 45 years with vaccination.
