Ahead of results, EC drafts 3-layer plan against Covid

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a three-layer plan on Wednesday to ward off the threat of coronavirus infections during the counting of votes for assembly elections, ordering more counting halls, banning public gatherings outside centres and allowing entry to candidates or polling agents only if they are fully vaccinated or have a Covid negative report.

The counting for state polls in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry is scheduled for May 2 amid an alarming surge in infections that has overwhelmed the country’s health care infrastructure. Results for bypolls to assembly and Lok Sabha seats in 14 states, and local body polls in UP will be announced on the same day. “Based on broad guidelines, a detailed Covid-19 related comprehensive plan for counting arrangements will be prepared at the state level, taking local conditions into account,” EC said in a statement.

The broad guidelines appoint the district election commission as the nodal officer at each counting centre, which will have to obtain a compliance certificate from the health authorities concerned.

“No candidates or agents will be allowed inside the counting hall without undergoing RT-PCR/RAT test or without having two doses of vaccination against Covid-19 and will have to produce negative RT-PCR report or RAT report or vaccination reports within 48 hours of start of counting,” the guidelines read. Public gatherings outside the counting hall are also banned. Masks, sanitisation, disinfection of the counting stations and social distancing norms have also been reiterated by ECI.

The directions come two days after the Madras high court blamed the ECI for the surge in infections and sought a detailed plan to ensure counting doesn’t lead to a spike.