The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday announced the by-election schedule for a Rajya Sabha seat from Tamil Nadu that fell vacant with the death of AIADMK MP A. Mohammedjan on March 23. The polling and counting of votes would be held on September 13 and filing of nominations would be from August 24 to August 31, Election Commission said, adding that COVID-19 safety protocols would be followed for the poll process. The Commission asked the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to appoint a senior officer to make sure the instructions were implemented.

Moreover, Each individual will wear face mask during every election-related activity. At the entry of hall or premises used for election purposes, thermal scanning of all people will be carried out and sanitizer will be made available at all locations, the commission added.

''The chief secretary, Tamil Nadu is being directed to depute a senior officer from the state to ensure that the extant instructions regarding COVID-19 containment measures are complied with while making arrangements for conducting the said by-election,'' the Election Commission of India statement reads.