<p>The candidates or their representatives must get themselves tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection and secure a negative certificate from diagnostic labs in order to enter the centres where votes polled in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry would be counted on May 2, the Election Commission ordered on Wednesday.</p>.<p>The EC's move came after the Madras High Court held it responsible for the second Covid-19 wave in the country. The court also asked it to submit its plan for enforcing Covid-19 safety protocols on Sunday, when the votes polled for the Assembly elections in the four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry would be counted.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/election/west-bengal/nearly-three-fold-increase-in-bjp-s-vote-share-tough-challenge-for-tmc-congress-in-bengals-eighth-phase-980136.html">Nearly three-fold increase in BJP’s vote share tough challenge for TMC, Congress in eighth phase</a></strong></p>.<p>No candidates or agents will be allowed inside the counting hall without undergoing Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Assay or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The candidates and their representatives would have to produce negative RT-PCR report or negative RAT report to enter the counting halls. They would have to undergo the tests within 48 hours before the start of the counting of votes, the EC stated.</p>.<p>The District Election officers will make arrangements for RT-PCR test or the RAT for the candidates or their representatives.</p>.<p>The poll-panel, however, said that the candidates and their representatives would also be allowed inside the counting hall if they could produce proof of having been administered the two doses of the anti-Covid-19 vaccines.</p>.<p>The EC also ordered for strict adherence during counting to the guidelines it issued on August 21 last year for conducting polls at the time of the pandemic.</p>.<p>The Madras High Court asked the EC to submit by Friday its plan to enforce the Covid-19 safety norms during counting of votes on May 2. The poll-panel stated that it would apprise the court about all steps already taken by it to ensure free, fair and safe elections.</p>
<p>The candidates or their representatives must get themselves tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection and secure a negative certificate from diagnostic labs in order to enter the centres where votes polled in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry would be counted on May 2, the Election Commission ordered on Wednesday.</p>.<p>The EC's move came after the Madras High Court held it responsible for the second Covid-19 wave in the country. The court also asked it to submit its plan for enforcing Covid-19 safety protocols on Sunday, when the votes polled for the Assembly elections in the four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry would be counted.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/election/west-bengal/nearly-three-fold-increase-in-bjp-s-vote-share-tough-challenge-for-tmc-congress-in-bengals-eighth-phase-980136.html">Nearly three-fold increase in BJP’s vote share tough challenge for TMC, Congress in eighth phase</a></strong></p>.<p>No candidates or agents will be allowed inside the counting hall without undergoing Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Assay or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The candidates and their representatives would have to produce negative RT-PCR report or negative RAT report to enter the counting halls. They would have to undergo the tests within 48 hours before the start of the counting of votes, the EC stated.</p>.<p>The District Election officers will make arrangements for RT-PCR test or the RAT for the candidates or their representatives.</p>.<p>The poll-panel, however, said that the candidates and their representatives would also be allowed inside the counting hall if they could produce proof of having been administered the two doses of the anti-Covid-19 vaccines.</p>.<p>The EC also ordered for strict adherence during counting to the guidelines it issued on August 21 last year for conducting polls at the time of the pandemic.</p>.<p>The Madras High Court asked the EC to submit by Friday its plan to enforce the Covid-19 safety norms during counting of votes on May 2. The poll-panel stated that it would apprise the court about all steps already taken by it to ensure free, fair and safe elections.</p>
