EC extends ban on rallies till Jan 31
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Election Commission of India on Saturday extended the ban on physical rallies and roadshows till January 31, said a press release by the Election Commission.
But the Election Commission has enhanced the limit of persons for door-to-door campaign from 5 to 10 persons, as per the statement.
Meanwhile, the commission has permitted video vans for publicity at designated open spaces with COVID-19 restrictions.
The decision came after the Election Commission of India held a meeting earlier in the day with the Union Health Secretary and the Chief Health Secretaries of the five poll-bound states to review the ban on holding physical roadshows and rallies by political parties ahead of Assembly elections.
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar, Anup Chandra Pandey, Secretary General, and concerned Deputy Election Commissioners also held a comprehensive review of the present situation with respect to status and projected trends of COVID-19 pandemic in the five poll going states, said a press release by Election Commission of India.
Commission also deliberated on requirements of the campaign period in phases where candidate list will be finalised on January 27, 2022 for Phase I and on January 31, 2022 for Phase 2, added the press release.
