Page 210 - Leap of Faith inside pages with cover (1)

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

A voter shows off his Voter ID
and inked finger, West Bengal

The COVID safety protocols were required to be followed
as strictly as in the previous year. It was impera ve to
increase the number of polling sta ons and coun ng halls
to enforce the social distancing norms. Thus every single
booth, where the number of electors was found exceeding
one thousand, was compulsorily split into two.

The Elec on Commission's inclusive measures like extending
postal ballot op on to all electors above 80 years of age,
those in PwD category and COVID-19 posi ve/suspect in
ins tu onal/home isola on as cer fied by competent
authority were notable features of Bihar Legisla ve
Assembly elec ons in 2020. They were applicable fully to
these elec ons as well. Similarly, the polling me was
extended by one hour. The COVID pa ents/suspects, willing
and medically permi ed to vote in person, could exercise
their franchise in the final hour in PPE Kit. All polling
personnel were declared as frontline workers, and were
compulsorily vaccinated against COVID-19.

A new voter, Tamil Nadu

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