Assembly elections 2022: EC extends ban on political rallies, roadshows till February 11
New Delhi, January 31: With the Assembly elections 2022 in five states nearing, the Election Commission of India has extended the ban on political rallies and roadshows till February 11.
However, the Election Commission has permitted the physical rallies with a maximum capacity of 1,000 persons and indoor meetings will be allowed with a maximum capacity of 500 persons. Twenty persons have been allowed for door-to-door campaign.
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey on Monday held another comprehensive review of the present situation of Covid 19 infection, particularly in the states of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh where the Assembly elections are nearing.
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In depth discussions were also held with respect to current vaccination status of first and second doses for eligible persons in the respective states as also arrangements for polling personnel.
All state chief secretaries informed the commission about the reports of Covid 19 infection either plateauing out or tapering as on date. They also said the positivity rate was showing a decline with the number of hospitalisation cases also registering a declining trend.
The state officers, however, said Covid protocol precautions needed to be continued so that no undue spurt takes place due to intense public contact because of heightened political activity.
After taking into consideration inputs, facts and circumstances and ground reports from state officers and Secretary, Health, Government of India, as also the requirements of necessary political activity in election mode by political parties in the present situation, the Election Commission has decided as follows:
1. No road shows, pad yatras, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and processions shall
be allowed till February 11, 2022.
2. The EC has now decided to allow physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates in designated open spaces with a maximum of 1,000 persons (instead of existing 500 persons) or 50 per cent of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by the SDMA, whichever number is lesser, from February 1, 2022 for all phases.
3. The EC has also enhanced the limit for door-to-door campaigns. Instead of 10 persons, now 20 persons, excluding security personnel, will be allowed for door-to-door campaigns. Other instructions on door to door campaigns will continue.
4. The EC 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 the SDMA is allowed.
5. Political parties and contesting candidates shall ensure the compliance of Covid-appropriate behaviour and guidelines and model code of conduct at all occasions during the activities connected with elections.
6. It shall be the responsibility of the DEO concerned to identify and to notify
the designated spaces in advance for the aforesaid purposes.
7. All remaining restrictions as contained in the Revised Broad Guidelines for
the Conduct of Elections, 2022, issued on January 8, 2022, shall continue to
operate.
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-PTC News
