UP Election Phase 1 Voting: Check Complete Covid-19 Guidelines For Voters Issued By EC

SOPs such as social distancing, token system to avoid queues and optional Postal Ballot facility will be implemented at the polling booths.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Assembly Elections 2022, Phase 1 Polling: As the first phase of polling for Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to take place on Thursday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has put in place thorough Covid guidelines for voters exercising their franchise amid the ongoing fear of third wave dominated by Omicron variant. 

The polling will start at 7 am in as many as 58 assembly seats spread across 11 districts in the western according to the guidelines of the Election Commission to ensure Covid-safe polls.

The voting will end at 6 pm.

The campaigning for the first phase remained confined to the virtual medium due to a ban on roadshows and physical rallies in the wake of the  ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

In order to contain the Covid surge, EC has announced various protocols for voters and election officials. 

Measures like sanitizers, thermal scanner, soap, masks, face shields and gloves etc have been announced by the Election Commission. Other SOPs such as social distancing, token system to avoid queues and optional Postal Ballot facility will also be implemented at the polling booths.

Not more than 1,000 voters are allowed to cast their votes on one polling booth and every booth will be mandatorily sanitized by the authorities.

The Election Commission has also extended voting time by an hour and electors will have to wear face masks, gloves and sanitize their hands.

Check Complete Covid Guidelines For Assembly Elections

1. Voters with Covid-19 related symptoms will exercise their franchise in the last hour of polling.

2. Voters with Covid-relared symptoms in the polling booth will be provided PPE kits for their safety. One such voter will be allowed inside polling station wearing PPE kit.

3. After voting on EVM-VVPAT, voter will have to dispose of the used glove in a dustbin and sanitize their hands before exiting from polling station

4. In case, the temperature of a Covid negative voter is above the set norms, he/she will be given a token to come and vote at the last hour of polling.

5. No gadgets will be allowed inside polling booth and voters will have to stand in queue maintaining 6-ft physical distance.