Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, staggered entry of voters, use of gloves and masks, besides social distancing, will be strictly maintained during the June 19 Rajya Sabha election in Meghalaya, Chief Electoral Officer of the State FR Kharkongor said on Wednesday.

Thermal screening and proper respiratory etiquette have to be followed within the polling station and during training, he said.

Pre-COVID-19 election procedures, protocols and processes have been revisited and preparations are being taken by adhering to coronavirus containment protocols to reduce person-to-person contact, he said.

“This will be the State’s first election held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and all steps are being taken to ensure that necessary safeguards as per protocol are in place,” Kharkongor told this news agency.