EC extends ban on rallies and roadshows till January 31 in poll-bound states

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Election Commission of India has extended the ban on rallies and roadshows till January 31 in the five poll-bound states. However, the Election Commission has enhanced the limit of persons for the door-to-door campaigns 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.

 

 

The EC had banned rallies and roadshows earlier till January 15 and later extended the ban till January 22. However, the parties were allowed to hold political meetings indoors with a maximum of 50 per cent capacity. 

 

The five states that go to the poll are Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Assembly elections will take place in seven phases from February 10 to March 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.