EC extends ban on roadshows, vehicle rallies till February 11, allows physical meetings with 1,000 people

KEY STORY

•  The Election Commission on Monday extended the ban on roadshows, vehicle rallies and processions for the upcoming elections in five states till February 11.

• “No roadshows, padyatras, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and processions shall be allowed till February 11, 2022,” the poll body said in a release.

• The decision was taken after Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey held a comprehensive review of the present COVID situation in the poll-bound states of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

• The Commission, however, allowed physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates in designated open spaces with a maximum of 1000 persons, instead of existing 500 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser, from February 1 for all phases.

• The EC also enhanced the limit for door-to-door campaigns from 10 to 20. “Instead of 10 persons, now 20 persons, excluding security personnel, will be allowed for door-to-door campaigns. Other instructions on door-to-door campaigns will continue,” the release added.

• The poll body also granted relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings of a maximum of 500 persons instead of existing 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA is allowed.

• The EC asked political parties and contesting candidates to ensure the compliance of COVID-appropriate behaviour and guidelines and Model Code of Conduct at all occasions during the activities connected with elections.

•  All remaining restrictions mentioned in the guidelines issued on January 8 shall continue to operate.

  ‘Precautions must be observed to avoid spurt in infections’

   

• CEC Chandra emphasised that while deliberating on relaxation of restrictions for physical rallies, indoor/outdoor meetings, door to door campaigning, practicality of implementation of orders by field level functionaries should be ensured in the wake of prevailing situation.

• The virtual meeting was also attended by the Union Health Ministry’s Secretary, the chief secretaries and the chief electoral officers of the five states.

• During the meeting, in-depth discussions were also held with respect to the current vaccination status of first and second doses for eligible persons in the respective states as also arrangements for polling personnel.

• The state chief secretaries informed the Commission about reports of COVID 19 infection either plateauing out or tapering as on date. They also said that the positivity rate is showing a decline with the number of hospitalisation cases also registering a declining trend.

• The state officers, however, said that COVID protocol precautions need to be continued to be observed so that no undue spurt takes place due to intense public contact because of heightened political activity.