- ECI relaxes physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates for Phase 1 from January 28, 2022 and for Phase 2 from February 1, 2022
- Limit of 5 persons for door to door campaign enhanced to 10 persons
- Video vans for publicity permitted at designated open spaces with COVID restrictions
New Delhi: As today for the third consecutive day the new Corona cases crossed 3 lakh mark in a day (3,37,704 new cases in the last 24 hours today), the Election Commission of India decided against political parties and candidates holding any road show, Pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession till January 31, 2022.
The ECI today held a review meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as well as the Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers and Health Secretaries of poll-bound States – Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
After taking into consideration inputs and ground reports from these officers, the Commission deliberated on requirements of the campaign period in phases where candidate list will be finalised on January 27, 2022 for Phase 1 and on January 31, 2022 for Phase 2.
Also read: ECI bans rallies and roadshows till January 22, 2022
After considering the present situation, facts and circumstances as also the inputs received in these meetings, the following decisions were taken:
(1) No road show, Pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till January 31, 2022.
(2) Since contesting candidates for Phase 1 elections will be finalised on January 27, 2022, physical meetings of concerned political parties or contesting candidates in designated open spaces will be allowed with a maximum of 500 persons or 50% of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), whichever number is lesser, from January 28, 2022 till February 8, 2022 (excluding the silence period).
(3) Since contesting candidates for Phase 2 elections will be finalised on January 31 2022, physical meetings of concerned Political parties or contesting candidates with public will be allowed in designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 persons or 50% of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser, from February 1, 2022 till February 12, 2022 (excluding the silence period).
(4) Instead of 5 persons, now 10 persons, excluding security personnel, will be allowed for door to door campaigns. Other instructions on door to door campaigns will continue.
(5) Relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings of a maximum of 300 persons or 50% of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA is allowed.
(6) Video vans for publicity with usual COVID restrictions at designated open spaces is allowed with a maximum of 500 viewers or 50 % of the capacity or the limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser, in the poll going States subject to public convenience and no hindrance to smooth flow of traffic. (Instructions in this regard are being sent to the Chief Electoral Officers separately).
(7) Political parties and contesting candidates shall ensure the compliance of COVID appropriate behaviour and guidelines and Model Code of Conduct at all occasions during the activities connected with elections.
(8) It shall be the responsibility of the DEO concerned to identify and to notify the designated spaces in advance for the aforesaid purposes.
(9) All remaining restrictions as contained in the Revised Broad Guidelines for Conduct of Elections, 2022 issued on January 8, 2022 shall continue to operate.
(10)All concerned State/District authorities shall ensure full compliance of these instructions.
The Commission said it will review these instructions at a subsequent date.
– global bihari bureau
