The Election Commission has completed the review of poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly Elections in five states including Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, where the process of elections is going to begin in a few days. The commission has also had a separate meeting with Union Health Secretary for a on the COVID situation as well as vaccination status in the poll-bound states.<br />'' <br />''During the commission's meeting with the Health Secretary, which was also attended by AIIMS Director and ICMR Chief a complete review was done on current COVID infection status and input of the medical experts were taken on the safety measures to be ensured during the election process. It was also apprised that the vaccination rate was up since the Health Secretary last met the Election Commission on 17th of December last year.<br />'' <br />''As per latest data, Uttar Pradesh has a weekly positivity rate of 0.24 per cent, 88 per cent first dose coverage and 52 per cent second dose coverage. Punjab has a weekly positivity rate of 2.1 per cent, with 76 per cent coverage of first dose and 42 per cent of second dose. Uttarakhand weekly positivity rate stands at 1.01 per cent and it already has 98 per cent of its population covered by first dose and 81 per cent by second dose. Goa has the highest first dose vaccination rate of 113 per cent (due to outsiders getting the vaccine in Goa) and its second dose coverage totals 96 per cent. Manipur, however, remains a cause for concern for the EC with its 57 per cent first dose coverage and 43 per cent second dose coverage, even though its weekly positivity rate is low at 1.1 per cent. The EC has asked to ensure that vaccination coverage is pushed up further in states like Manipur, Punjab and UP.<br />'' <br />''The Election Commission also met Home Secretary to discuss the law and order situation in the poll-bound states and deployment of Central Paramilitary Forces. Around one lakh Central Paramilitary and State Armed Police personnel may watch over the UP polls that could stretch to multiple phases. <br />'' <br />''The poll panel may issue an advisory to the political parties seeking self-restraint on their part while campaigning and requesting them to switch to virtual campaign as far as possible. Roadshows may be banned. It may make the State Disaster Management Agency (SDMA) responsible for enforcing COVID Appropriate Behaviour and curbs. The District Election Officer concerned will fix the responsibility in the event of a major violation of COVID norms and take strict action, including removal of the errant officer from duty and even suspension. Candidates and star campaigners at whose rallies norms are violated may also face cancellation of their future rallies.<br />'' <br />''Meanwhile, the Election Commission has enhanced the existing election expenditure limit for candidates in Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies. These limits will be applicable in all upcoming elections. The ceiling on Parliamentary poll expenditure has been raised from 70 lakh to 95 lakh rupees in bigger states and 54 lakh to 75 lakhs in smaller states. The bigger states include Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka and the smaller states include Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and the Union Territories. The ceiling on poll expenditure in UT of Jammu and Kashmir has been raised to 95 lakhs.<br />'' <br />''For Assembly Constituencies, expenditure limits have been enhanced from 28 lakh rupees 40 lakh rupees in bigger states and from 20 lakhs to 28 lakhs in smaller states.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Last major revision in the election expenditure limit was carried out in 2014, which was further increased by 10 per cent in 2020. EC had formed a Committee to study the cost factors and other related issues and make suitable recommendations in this context.</span><br />