The Election Commission (EC) has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies with immediate effect for the remaining two phases of polls in West Bengal while no public meeting having more than 500 people would be allowed after reports of Covid safety norms being flouted during campaigning in the State came to the fore.
Issuing an order, the EC has invoked its plenary powers under Article 324 to prohibit roadshows, padyatras, and cycle/bike/vehicle rallies, effective immediately.
The order said the commission has noted “with anguish” that many political parties and candidates are still not adhering to the prescribed safety norms during the public gatherings and this is making it difficult for the state/district election machinery to enforce the guidelines.
All previous orders for rallies and roadshows stand cancelled and only meetings that are attended by not over 500 people, will be allowed, the EC stated. “ Now , therefore, in view of aforesaid and taking all materials fact into consideration and in addition to Commission earlier orders, the Commission invoking its power under Article 324 further orders from 7 pm on April 22 in the state of West Bengal,” the EC said.
“Permission for road show, cycle/bike/vehicle rally , if granted already stands withdrawn. Permission for public meeting if granted already stands modified to the extent above,” the order said. The EC has also restricted the limit of persons at any public meeting to 500 for the West Bengal assembly polls. Such public meetings will be allowed as per the availability of adequate space with social distancing norms and adherence to Covid-19 guidelines, the EC said. Voting for the two remaining phases of the West Bengal assembly polls will be held on 26 and 29 April.
Earlier on Wednesday, the EC had turned down appeals from TMC leader Derek O’Brien and Congress’s Adir Choudhury to club together the remaining three phases of polls.
In its order, it said that it has already issued safety guidelines for Covid-19, cut down on daily campaign hours and extended the “period of silence” -- stopping of the campaign before polls -- from 48 to 72 to 72 hours.
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday pulled up the Election Commission over its handling of the eight-phase election in Bengal in the middle of a lethal Covid second wave.”The Election Commission is empowered to act, but what is it doing about polls in these Covid times? The EC is just passing circulars and leaving it to the people. But the EC has implementing authority,” the court said.