Kerala Assembly polls | COVID-19 norms largely met at polling stations

A few booths threw a surprise with disposable gloves and circle marks to ensure safe distance

Barring physical distancing, most other requirements of the COVID-19 protocol were met at polling stations across the district. While masks were distributed among those who failed to wear one, a few polling booths surprised one and many by handing out disposable gloves and marking circles to maintain a safe distance among voters. While the capital district had warmed up to the idea of adopting measures to mitigate the COVID-19 spread during the local body elections last year, polling officials rose to the occasion admirably yet again. The growing awareness among the public too went a long way into upholding the norms. Despite the authorities’ inability to enforce social distancing norms, the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) move to arrange auxiliary booths and cap the maximum number of voters prevented crowding to a large extent.