EC Wakes Up: COVID Report Mandatory For Entering Counting Halls

New Delhi: Pulled up by high courts for failing to ensure proper COVID behaviour before and during state elections, the Election Commission (EC) is now trying to get its act together.

Two days after banning victory processions post counting of votes on May 2, EC on Wednesday directed that no one, including candidates and agents, will be allowed inside the counting halls without a negative RT-PCR or RAT report, or a report confirming both doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

The district election officer (DEO) will be responsible for making arrangement of RT-PCR/RAT test for candidates and counting agents day before counting.

“No candidates or agents will be allowed inside the counting hall without undergoing RT-PCR/RAT test or without having 2 doses of vaccination against COVID-19… The DEO shall make arrangement of RT-PCR/RAT Test to candidates or counting agents before the day of counting,” the EC directive stated.

As per the order, not more than two persons will be allowed to accompany the winning candidate inside the counting halls. Also, public gathering has been barred outside the venues while the process of counting is underway.

A comprehensive plan will also be prepared at the state level for counting arrangements keeping in view the COVID situation, as the Madras High Court said on Monday.

EC said that the three-layer plan will be prepared in consultation with health officers at assembly constituency, district and state levels.