Polling booths increased, voting hours extended: EC's measures to hold elections amid Covid-19

The Election Commission on Saturday highlighted several measures it is taking to hold the upcoming assembly elections safely as India sees a surge in Covid-19 cases.

All polling officials will be fully vaccinated and will be considered frontline workers. All eligible officials will be given a 'precaution dose' of the Covid-19 vaccine.

In order to avoid crowding, the poll panel has limited the number of voters to 1,250 people for every polling booth. The number of polling stations has been increased by 16%. Voting hours have also been extended by an hour.

Thermal testing will be done at all voting booths and any voter who registers increased body temperature will be given a token and asked to come back during last hour of voting.

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Senior citizens above 80 years of age, people with disabilities and all Covid-19 patients will be allowed to vote through postal ballot.