The Election Commission of India is unlikely to defer Assembly elections in five states slated for early next year.
The health Secretary on Monday briefed the Commission about the Omicron threat in the country, especially in the poll-bound states.
The commission has reportedly asked the government to vaccinate all those on election duty ahead of the polls.
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan submitted a report to the commission according to which the assembly polls in Manipur, Goa, Punjab, Uttarakhand and UP are likely to be held at the scheduled time as mandated by the Constitution.
The assembly tenure of UP is due to end in May.
Former CEC S.Y. Qureshi said that postponement of elections is out of the question and it will be a violation of the Constitution and the Commission will take into account all the factors while it may ban rallies.
The assembly elections are scheduled for five states – Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Punjab in 2022.
The dates could be announced in the first week of January, said the source.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other officials are scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh to take stock of the poll preparedness on Tuesday.