EC Extends Ban on Roadshows, Political Rallies, Processions Till 11 February

The Union Health Secretary is likely to meet the poll body virtually at around 11 am on Monday.

Election Commission of India. Image used for representational purpose.

(File Photo: Amlan Paliwal/IANS)

In view of the upcoming state assembly polls, the ban on road shows, pad yatras, vehicle rallies and processions extended to 11 February, the Election Commission announced on Monday, 31 January.

Further, the election panel also held that:

• Physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates, in designated open spaces with a maximum of 1000 persons or 50% of the ground capacity, or the limit prescribed by SDMA (whichever number is lesser) will be permitted from Tuesday.

• The limit for door-to-door campaigns will be enhanced from 10 persons to 20 persons, excluding security personnel.

• Indoor meetings of a maximum of 500 persons (instead of existing 300 persons) or 50% of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA will also be allowed

The poll body took the decisions on existing restrictions after reviewing the current COVID situation in the poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, along with Election Commissioners Shri Rajiv Kumar and Shri Anup Chandra Pandey interacted with the Union health secretary and health secretaries of five poll-bound states on Monday.

On 22 January, in light of the health emergency, the Election Commission had extended the ban on physical rallies and the roadshows till 31 January.

The Assembly elections in five poll-bound states are scheduled to commence from 10 February. Polling in Uttar Pradesh will take place in seven phases, while Manipur will go to polls in two phases. Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will vote in a single phase.