<span style="color: #222222;">In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the Election Commission has decided to allow maximum 1,000 electors in a Polling Station instead of earlier stipulation of 1,500 electors. Accordingly, there is a major change in the number of Polling Stations in the poll-bound states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Option of Postal Ballot facility has been extended to the electors who are COVID- 19 positive or suspect as certified by competent authority and are in home or institutional quarantine along with those marked as Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and above the age of 80 years.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The special facilities will include mandatory sanitization of Polling Station, thermal checking of voters at entry point either by polling staff or paramedical staff or an Asha worker. If temperature is above the set norms at first reading, then it will be checked twice and if it remains, then the elector shall be provided with token and will be asked to come for voting at the last hour of poll.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">COVID-19 patients, who are quarantined, will also be allowed to cast their vote at the last hour of the poll day at their respective Polling Stations.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">  </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Earmarking circles for maintaining social distance for voters standing in the queue will be there.Face Masks will be kept in reserves.Hand gloves will be provided to the voters for signing on the voter register and using Electronic Voting Machine.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">  </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In view of the pandemic, the Commission has decided to extend the poll timing by one hour in all Assembly Constituencies except in the areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism.</span>