Since the pandemic has hit the country nothing has remained the same. As we adapt to the new normal Election Commission gives guidelines ahead of the Bihar polls.

The Election Commission Friday issued fresh guidelines for conduct of elections during the Covid-19 pandemic. After considering suggestions made by political parties and chief electoral officers of states and union territories, the poll watchdog said that only a group of five people can campaign door-to-door. It also restricted candidate convoy for roadshows to five vehicles, among other measures.

Bihar will be the first state where assembly elections will be held amid the pandemic. The polls are likely to be held sometime in October-November.

Following are some highlights of the guidelines:

*Only two people can accompany candidate at the time of nomination.

*If a voter, on the day of voting, shows symptoms of virus, the person will be provided a token and asked to come back at the last hour of polling.

*Hand gloves will be provided to voters at the time of signing register and pressing the EVM button.

*Maximum 1,000 voters can vote at a polling station. Earlier the maximum number was 1500.

*All voters will be asked to wear face masks, which they will be asked to remove briefly for identification at the time of voting

*Quarantined patients will be allowed to vote at the last hour of poll under supervision of health officials, strictly following preventive measures

The term for the Bihar legislative assembly comes to an end and the elections are likely to be held on November 29 and polls are likely to he held sometime in October-November. 

Last month the Election Commission had asked parties to send their “views and suggestions…so that necessary guidelines may be firmed up for the election campaign by candidates or political parties for the conduct of election during the pandemic period”.

The concept for “virtual campaigning” was given by RJD and the CPI(M). Parties like the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), an NDA constituent, has suggested less emphasis on this mode of campaigning.

In reference to a level play field, nine opposition parties had questioned the digital campaign launched by BJP in Bihar. In their view it distrurbs the level-playing field. Thus demanded normal electioneering.