COVID-19 & voting: Election Commission issues new set of guidelines including social distancing, wearing gloves for voters

Voters must wear gloves before they press the button on electronic voting machines, and a maximum of 1,000 voters can be present at any polling booth, with strict social distancing maintained. These and several other guidelines were issued by the Election Commission in its latest guidelines.

Among other things, door-to-door campaigns must be held with only five people. Public meetings and road shows can be held, but should follow containment conditions laid down by the Central government. Also, every voter’s body temperature will be checked before allowing her/him to enter the polling booth. Anyone whose temperature exceeds what is considered safe, will be checked twice and even if it still exceeds, the voter will be asked to visit again in the last hour of polling and will be allowed to vote following strict preventive measures.

Under the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, candidates have been allowed to file nominations and deposit security deposit online. However, if they appear in person, only two persons and two vehicles can be allowed to accompany a candidate while filing nominations. The offices should also have all social distancing measures.

Officers will be assigned to supervise the measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the voting process. Specific training will also be held for this, though training for election officials will be allowed to be held online.

Elections are scheduled in Bihar later this year and in some other states including West Bengal in 2021. However, the guidelines did not mention anything about any specific election.