supporters. All parties were free to hang their flags and banners in the contested area. However, there was some provocative behaviour when supporters removed the opposing candidate’s flags or banners in certain remote areas. CHAPTER 2 b) Checking the contents of the ballot box The EC chose a suitable location to check the contents of the ballot boxes. All the equipment for reviewing the votes was working, functioning and placed well before the appointed time. The review process, however, did not occur at the designated time. EC officers guarded the doors to the hall and made everyone show an EC pass before they could enter. Some observers were denied entry, but they were allowed in after some discussion. c) Polling day Voting ran smoothly, and all voters could cast their ballots without any restrictions. The EC also set up a special camp for any voters with COVID-19 symptom to cast their ballots. The polling centres chosen were easily accessible to the public. EC allowed cars transporting senior citizens and persons with disabilities to drive close to the polling stations for polling centres located far from the main entrance or on a hill. According to the EC’s new layout, the tables for voters to mark their ballot papers were placed near the entrance and exit. This meant that anyone passing by the windows could see the ballot papers if the voter was not careful. So, the windows in the rooms were then covered up, but this meant that the rooms became stifling hot. d) Closing and counting of votes process As a whole, the vote-counting process went smoothly and in an organised manner. e) Declaration of results The hall was guarded by the police. Only individuals with passes were allowed to enter. When the ballot boxes arrived at the area where the votes would be officially summed-up, the ballot boxes were closely guarded by the enforcement authorities. Several Heads of Polling Centres were present during the review of the ballot boxes. The process of checking the ballot boxes, tallying the votes and displaying the results on the screen for the media, EC officers and observers went smoothly. ANNUAL REPORT 2020 79