NEW DELHI: Voters will be provided gloves while using EVMs and COVID-19 patients in quarantine will be allowed to vote at the last hour of the polling day, according to broad guidelines issued by the Election Commission on Friday for holding polls during the coronavirus pandemic.
A separate set of guidelines would be issued for voters who are residing in areas notified as “containment zone”, the Election Commission said.
The poll panel has also extended the option of postal ballot for electors who are marked as persons with disabilities and those above 80 years.
Electors who are COVID-19 positive or are suspected of having the infection and in quarantine at home or at an institution can also exercise the postal ballot option.
An official explained that this postal ballot facility is different from the one extended to service voters. Here, those willing to use the facility have to fill up a form. Officials then carry the ballot to the residence of such voters and video shoot the voting to ensure transparency.
Bihar may become the first state to go for assembly elections amid the pandemic. The polls are due in October-November.
Asked why the norms have no mention of “virtual” or “digital” campaigning, another official said the “broad guidelines have been framed based on COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Health Ministry and the Home Ministry to prevent the spread of the virus.”
“Based on our guidelines, states will prepare their own set of three-layered comprehensive guidelines at the state, district and assembly constituency level.”
The state specific guidelines may talk of virtual campaign, he added.
The commission has recommended mandatory sanitisation of polling stations, preferably a day before the polls. Circles would be painted at polling stations to ensure social distancing.
“Hand gloves (apparently disposable in nature) shall be provided to the voter, for signing on the voter register and pressing button of electronic voting machine (EVM) for voting,” the document pointed out.
Thermal scanners would be placed at the entry point of every polling station. Polling or paramedical staff will conduct thermal screening of voters at the entry point of a polling station, it said.
If the temperature of a voter is above the set norms of Health Ministry at first reading, then it will be checked twice and if it remains, then the elector shall be provided with a token or a certificate and will be asked to come for voting at the last hour of poll.
Face masks in reserve would be kept for those electors who are not carrying one. During the process of identification of voter, the voters will require to lower the face mask for identification, according to the document. “There shall be maximum 1,000 electors instead of 1,500 electors in a polling station,” the guidelines said.
Another EC officer said indelible ink would be applied on voters’ fingers as per norms. Sufficient number of hand sanitisers, soap and water would be made available to maintain hygiene he said. Mask, sanitiser, face shield and gloves shall be provided to every polling official and security personnel.
A group of five people, including candidates but excluding security personnel, is allowed to take part in door-to-door campaigning.
For road shows, the commission said, convoys of vehicles should be broken after every five vehicles instead of 10 (excluding security vehicles).
Public gatherings and rallies can be held subject to adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. (PTI)
