In wake of the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, the Election Commission on Thursday (April 22) banned all roadshows and vehicle rallies in poll-bound West Bengal with immediate effect.
The commission has ordered that no public meeting with an attendance of over 500 people would be allowed as people are flouting all COVID-19 safety norms during the election campaign in the state.
The orders came into force from 7 pm on Thursday evening.
The order read that the commission has noted 'with anguish' that several political parties and leaders are not following the prescribed safety norms during their campaigning and therefore, "permission for roadshow, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies if granted already, stands withdrawn."
Earlier in the day, the Calcutta High Court had issued a warning to the commission on the situation saying, “If EC won’t act, the court will”. The court also expressed displeasure with the Election Commission over enforcement of COVID-19 health safety norms during the ongoing West Bengal assembly election process, including campaigning.
While hearing three pleas seeking enforcement of COVID-19 protocol during the polls, a bench presided by Chief Justice TBN Radhakrishnan said that issuance of circulars and holding meetings on coronavirus safety were not enough. The court also sought an affidavit by Friday on steps taken to enforce the norms.
“We are not satisfied with the materials on record to state that the Election Commission of India and its officers on the ground in West Bengal have enforced their circulars,” the court said.
Meanwhile, West Bengal recorded an approximate voter turnout of 79.08 per cent till 6 pm across 43 constituencies in four districts during the sixth phase of the state assembly polls, according to the Election Commission (EC). Among the four districts, Nadia recorded the highest voter turnout of 82.70 per cent till 6 pm.