The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has issued a new policy guideline for conducting elections during the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic.

Part of the new guidelines issued to facilitate the conduct of elections during the COVID-19 pandemic includes the provision of infrared thermometers at collation centres, mandatory use of face masks by voters, provision of face masks for all electoral officers, provision of alcohol-based sanitizers at polling centres, disinfection of smart card readers after the fingerprint of each voter is read.

INEC said it will also ensure the enforcement of physical distancing by redesigning the polling unit layout to have a two-tier queuing system at the Polling Unit – one outside and the other in the voting area.

It added that voters will be brought into the voting area periodically to prevent overcrowding and that tags and twines may be used to ensure crowd control and maintenance of social distance.

It also announced that due to COVID-19, there will be a 30-minute adjustment to the voting period as polls shall now commence at 8.30 am and close at 2.30 pm.