Amid improving vaccination status and declining graph of daily Covid-19 situation in the poll-bound States, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday extended the ban on roadshows, “padyatras”, vehicle rallies and processions till February 11.
However, the poll panel permitted a maximum of 1,000 people who could attend physical public meetings and enhanced the number of people allowed in door-to-door campaigning from the present 10 to 20.
This EC decided this after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey held another comprehensive review of the present Covid-19 situation in the poll-bound States of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
In a statement, the EC said that no roadshows, “padyatras”, and cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and processions shall be allowed till February 11, 2022.
“The Commission has now decided 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 per cent of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), whichever number is lesser, from February 1, 2022 for all phases,” it said.
The Commission has also enhanced the limit for door-to-door campaigns and instead of 10 persons, now 20, excluding security personnel, will be allowed. The Commission has now 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.
According to the EC, all the State Chief Secretaries informed the Commission about reports of Covid-19 infection either plateauing or tapering out as on date. They also said that the positivity rate is showing a decline with the number of hospitalisation cases 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,” it said.
The Commission accompanied by Secretary General and concerned Deputy Election Commissioners, met with the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and the Chief Secretaries, the Chief Electoral Officers of the five Poll Going States through virtual mode to assess the present status and projected trends of COVID pandemic. In-depth discussions were also held with respect to the current Vaccination status of 1st, 2nd doses for eligible persons in the respective States as also arrangements for polling personnel.
“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,” the EC said.