New Delhi: With the announcement of polling dates for the upcoming assembly elections, the Election Commission of India on Saturday amended the guidelines for conducting elections in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In the new ‘Revised Comprehensive Guidelines 2022’, ECI has updated its comprehensive guidelines issued on August 21, 2020.
Read also | Election Commission announces schedule for assembly elections in five states – check dates here
As elections are getting closer amid rising cases of corona virus omicron Infection, the Election Commission has informed how voters who have either tested COVID positive or are suspected of contracting the infection will be able to exercise their franchise.
As per the new norms, in strict adherence to COVID-19, COVID patients and all others who may be under quarantine, they will be allowed to vote at their respective polling stations in the last hour of polling, under the supervision of health officials. Will go related preventive measures”.
There is also the option of postal ballot.
postal ballot
The ECI said that the option of postal ballot facility has been extended to the following categories of voters:
- Voters who have been marked as Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and those with benchmark disabilities.
- Voters above 80 years of age
- Voters working in notified essential services
- Voters who are COVID positive/suspect and in quarantine (home/institutional)
Especially the temperature of the voters arriving at the polling station will be checked.
“If the temperature is above the prescribed norms of MoH&FW on the first reading, it will be checked twice and if it remains, the voter will be provided with a token/certificate and will be allowed to come to vote in the last hour of polling. shall be asked for,” reads the ECI guideline.
Arrangements in view of COVID
Here are some of the arrangements that are mandated by the Election Commission to be ensured at the polling stations:
- Compulsorily sanitizing the polling station a day before the polling.
- Thermal scanners at the entry point of every polling station.
- Thermal Checking of Voters at Polling Station Location/Entry Point of Polling Station, either by Polling Staff or Para Medical Staff or ASHA Worker.
- Marker to show social distancing in queue.
- Sanitizer at the entry/exit point of every polling station.
- Face masks will be kept in reserve for voters who do not have masks.
- During the process of identification, voters will have to wear facemasks for identification if required. At any point of time, only 1 (one) voter will be allowed to stand in front of each polling officer while maintaining social distancing.
- The voter will be provided with hand gloves to sign the voter register and press the EVMs for voting.
- Sanitizers will be placed inside the booth at appropriate places with clear guidelines for use by voters.
Notably, physical rallies of political parties or potential candidates or any other group related to elections have been banned till January 15. No roadshow, padyatra, cycle or bike rally and procession will be allowed till January 15.
Assembly elections in all the five states will be completed in total seven phases, in Uttar Pradesh, voting will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7.
The counting of votes will take place on March 10.
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