Model Code of Conduct comes into force in Bihar

New Delhi, September 25 :
Announcing the poll schedule in New Delhi today, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect with the declaration of elections.

Mr. Arora said the number of phases for 243-member Bihar Assembly polls has been reduced keeping in mind security arrangements and festive season. He informed that the voting time has been extended by one hour till 6 PM and COVID-19 patients will vote in the last hour of the day. He said COVID-19 pandemic has forced a new normal in all aspects of life and Bihar Assembly elections will be held under new security protocols.

Mr. Arora informed that seven lakh hand sanitiser points, 46 lakh masks, 6 lakh PPE kits, 6.7 lakh face shields, 23 lakh pairs of hand gloves have been arranged in the wake of COVID pandemic. He added that social distancing norms will need to be followed at public gatherings and other activities during the election campaign.

The Chief Election Commissioner said the Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for ensuring the effective implementation of MCC guidelines. He added that anyone who indulges in misuse of social media with respect to elections will have to face consequences under the law.

The legendary playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away this afternoon in Chennai. He was 74. His son SP Charan confirmed his demise to the reporters this afternoon.

The renowned artist SP Balasubrahmanyam was admitted into a corporate hospital in the city on the 5th of this month for Covid-19. The viral load dissipated later, but only after leaving his vital organs severely affected. It led to the deterioration of his health and he was put on ventilator and ECMO support.

The veteran playback singer holds the Guinness World Record of singing the highest number of songs by a single artist of more than 40-thousand songs in 16 Indian languages.