No candidates or their agents will be allowed inside counting halls without a negative coronavirus report, according to the latest result-day guidelines issued by the Election Commission.

Candidates or their agents who have received both the doses of Covid-19 vaccine can also enter the counting hall on May 2 when votes for Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu will be counted, according to the guidelines issued on Wednesday.

No public gathering outside the counting venue will be allowed during the process of counting, the guideline said.

"No candidates or agents will be allowed inside the counting hall without undergoing RT-PCR/RAT test or without having two doses of vaccination against Covid-19 and will have to produce negative RT-PCR report or RAT report or vaccination reports within 48 hours of start of counting," the guideline read.

The Election Commission yesterday banned all victory processions on May 2 when results would be announced in Bengal and other states where polls were held and restricted to two the number of people who could accompany the winner candidates to collect certificates.

The twin decisions came a day after the poll panel had been held “singularly responsible” by Madras High Court for the novel coronavirus resurgence in India.

“No victory procession after the counting on 2.5.2021 shall be permissible…Not more than two persons shall be allowed to accompany the winning candidate or his/her authorised representative receive the certificate of election from the Returning Officer concerned,” a letter issued by the EC in favour of chief electoral officers of all states and Union territories read.

The EC also decided to increase the number of counting centres to 705 from 385 in Bengal in the wake of the coronavirus upsurge. Sources said the number of counting venues were being doubled in order to ensure social distancing among the officials.

Counting starts at 8 am on May 2.