India to hold election in Bihar despite surging Covid-19 cases

India's Election Commission on Friday announced the schedule for the forthcoming local elections in the eastern state of Bihar amid coronavirus risks as the state reported 86,052 new infections of Covid-19 Friday.

India's Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora told a press conference that the elections will be held in three phases between Oct. 28 and Nov. 7, and the election results will be declared on Nov. 10, reports Xinhua.

They will be the first major elections in the country since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ongoing pandemic has disrupted various schedules and political calendars, prompting authorities to announce sweeping measures like wearing face masks and social distancing to contain its spread.

India announced a strict lockdown in March and of late has started to resume economic and social activities.

Hand sanitizers, masks, personal protective equipment suits, face shields and gloves have been arranged for the polling staff, according to Arora.

The chief election commissioner said they have prepared 7.2 million gloves for the voters to cast their votes.

The Election Commission has increased polling time by an hour in view of the pandemic. Voting will take place from 7:00 a.m. local time to 6:00 p.m. local time.

Bihar will elect a new 243-member Assembly.

Covid-19 patients, suspected patients and those in quarantine will vote separately and there will be no physical contact during meetings and rallies, said the chief election commissioner.