Panaji, March 18 (IANS): Ahead of the March 22 Zila Panchayat elections in Goa, the State Election Commission on Wednesday issued an advisory to staff on duty to get all polling booths disinfected.

All government servants engaged in counting of votes were also directed to wash hands after each round of counting recorded on electronic voting machines.

"Ensure all polling stations are sanitised and mapping of polling booths done with disinfectants like phenyl, Lyzol, Dettol. Adequate provisions for washing hands at above-mentioned centres should be made available," Goa State Election Commission Secretary Melvyn Vaz said in the advisory.

"Ensure sufficient water supply, its storage at polling stations. Contact primary health centres within respective jurisdiction for collection of first-aid kits. On the counting day, the counting personnel are advised to wash hands after every round," the advisory added.

A total of 1,237 polling booths spread over 50 constituencies will witness ZP polls, in which 203 candidates are in the fray. As many as 8.91 lakh voters are eligible to cast ballot.