Covid-19 Election Guidelines: Road Shows With Conditions, Gloves For Voters, Online Nominations | Full Details

ECI Released New Guidelines for General Elections during COVID. Candidates will have the option to deposit security amount for contesting the elections online.

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New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Friday announced guidelines for the conduct of general elections and by-elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an official circular issued today, the polling body said that it has approved the broad guidelines for conduct of general/bye elections during COVID-19 period. Earlier, the Election Commission on July 17 had sought suggestions of National and State Political Parties till July 31 and had further extended the period till August 11 on request of the Political parties.

Guidelines for Conduct of General Election/Bye election during COVID-19 https://t.co/cRwrbTAMQq

— Sheyphali Sharan (@SpokespersonECI) August 21, 2020

Considering the suggestions received from various political parties and Chief Electoral Officers of States/UTs on election campaign and public meetings, the Election Commission has issued the following guidelines: i. The Commission has revised the norms of number of persons accompanying the candidate and number of vehicles at the time of nomination. ii. It has also created optional facility to fill the nomination form and the affidavit online and submission of the same, after taking print, before the RO concerned. iii. For the first time, the candidates will have the option to deposit security amount for contesting the elections online. iv. Keeping the containment guidelines in view, the Commission has limited the number of persons including candidate for door to door campaign to five. v. Public meeting and road shows shall be permissible with suitable instructions subject to containment instructions issued by the MHA/State. vi. Face Mask, Sanitizer, Thermal scanners, gloves, face shield and PPE kits shall be used during the electoral process ensuring social distancing norms. vii. Hand gloves shall be provided to all the electors for signing on the voter register and pressing button of EVM for voting. The polling agency has also directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of concerned States/UTs to make arrangement and preventive measures following these guidelines taking local conditions into account. These plans will be prepared in consultation with Nodal Officer for COVID-19 in their respective States/UTs, the notice said.