Masks Compulsory, Nominations Go Online: EC Issues Guidelines For Polls During Covid

The Election Commission of India on Friday issued guidelines for the conduct of general elections and by-elections during the Coronavirus pandemic. With Bihar Assembly elections around the corner, the poll body in its fresh guidelines said candidates can file nominations online.

Also, people will have to wear face masks during election-related activities.

The Election Commission will provide face masks and hand sanitizers to voters along with facial PPE kits to children accompanying their parents to the polling booth.

At the entrance of halls, premises used for election purposes, thermal screening of all the persons will be carried out.

The option of postal ballot facility has been extended to the electors who are marked as 'persons with disabilities', people above age of 80 years, people employed in notified essential services and who are COVID-19 positive/possibly infected, the Election Commission of India said.