GB Elections 2020: Are COVID-19 SOPs being implemented?

Gilgit-Baltistan government announced standard operating procedures to deal with coronavirus threats at the polling stations.

According to the SOPs, the voters will be required to maintain a distance of six feet from each other during the polling.

According to the GB home secretary, 8,000 bags containing face covers, masks, gloves, and sanitizers were being dispatched for the polling staff.

Over half of the polling stations established in Gilgit-Baltistan have already been categorized sensitive.

Out of 1,141 polling stations, 577 were declared sensitive and 297 highly sensitive.

The Polling to elect the new legislative assembly began at 8:00 am in the morning and will last till 5:00 pm in the evening.

At least 330 candidates will contest this ballot exercise for the 33-member Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. GB has 24 constituencies and its assembly has 33 seats.

A total of 745,361 voters will be voting for 23 constituencies across 1,160 polling stations on Sunday. Gilgit Baltistan region’s administration said at least 15,900 law enforcement personnel would be deployed for security purposes.

Many videos also surfaced on social media related to the implementation of COVID-19 SOPs.

Polling with Covid SOPs started. @DCNagarGB @HomeDeptGB pic.twitter.com/UDDJekU5Yq

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— Muhammad Ali Randhawa (@RandhawaAli) November 15, 2020

Polling Started at Gilgit with Covid SOPs ⁦@DCGILGIT⁩ ⁦@HomeDeptGB⁩ pic.twitter.com/vzmBqGcRFE

— Muhammad Ali Randhawa (@RandhawaAli) November 15, 2020

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