File photo of an election rally
Relaxation in numbers permitted for physical public meetings, indoor meetings and door to door campaigning
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India today extended ban on road shows, Pad-yatras, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and processions till February 11, 2022. The decision was taken after Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey today held another comprehensive review of the present situation of Covid 19 infection particularly in the poll bound states of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
After taking into consideration inputs, facts and circumstances and ground reports from State officers and Secretary Health, GOI as also the requirements of necessary political activity in election mode by political parties in present situation, the Commission decided also decided the following:
- To allow 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% of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), whichever number is lesser, from February 1, 2022 for all phases.
- To enhance the limit for door to door campaigns. 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.
- To grant relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings of a maximum of 500 persons (instead of existing 300 persons) or 50% of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA is allowed.
- Political parties and contesting candidates shall ensure the compliance of COVID appropriate behaviour & guidelines and Model Code of Conduct at all occasions during the activities connected with elections.
- It shall be the responsibility of the District Electoral Officer concerned to identify and to notify the designated spaces in advance for the aforesaid purposes.
All remaining restrictions as contained in the Revised Broad Guidelines for Conduct of Elections, 2022 issued on January 8, 2022 shall continue to operate, the ECI stated.
Also read: Ban on election rallies and road shows to continue till January 31, 2022
– global bihari bureau
