After reviewing the Covid-19 situation in the poll bound-States, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday extended the ban on physical rallies of political parties, road shows, padyatras, cycle and bike rallies by a week, till January 22.
The Commission, however, has granted relaxation to political parties to conduct indoor meetings with a maximum 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall. Earlier, the ban was imposed till 15 January.
“No road show, padyatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till January 22, 2022. The commission shall subsequently review the situation and issue further instructions accordingly. No physical rally of political parties or candidates (including probables) or any other group related to election shall be allowed till January 22, 2022,” the EC said in a statement.
This comes after deliberations with the Union Health Secretary, Health Secretaries and Chief Secretaries of the five poll bound states.
“However, the Commission has granted relaxation for the political parties to extend indoor meetings to a maximum of 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by the SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority),” it added.
The EC has directed all political parties to adhere to the provisions of MCC (Model Code of Conduct) and the broad guidelines of Covid.
The EC also directed State and district administrations to ensure compliance of all instructions related to the poll code and to the pandemic control measures.
The EC on Saturday held a slew of virtual meetings with the Health Ministry and the Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, and also the Chief Electoral Officers of these five poll-going States. The Commission also discussed SDMA’s restrictions and state specific extant guidelines regulating the norms of gathering of persons during the period of pandemic.