New Delhi, Jan 15: The Election Commission on Saturday, has extended the ban on rallies and roadshows ahead of elections in five states till January 22. The restriction was imposed after exponential spike in Covid cases last week.
The EC also said, Indoor political meetings will be allowed subject to a cap of 300 people, 50 per cent of the hall’s capacity, or the limit set by the state’s disaster management authority. Political parties must bear responsibility for the enforcement of rules, which include social distancing and use of face masks.
On January 8 the top poll body had said rallies, roadshows, and other kinds of political events, indoors and outdoors, would be banned till January 15 (today), and that the order would then be reviewed.
Today the Election Commission held a series of meetings – with the Union Health Secretary at 11 am, Chief and Health Secretaries of all poll-bound states at noon, and Chief Election Officers at 1 pm.
The order banning rallies and roadshows was passed as part of a 16-point list aimed at holding polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Manipur as safely as possible.
Included in that list of ‘no-no’ activities were the holding of nukkad sabhas, or roadside meets, and limiting the number of people for door-to-door campaigning.
Yesterday, however, Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party came under the poll body’s scanner after massive crowds gathered for the induction of two ex-BJP ministers – Swami Prasad Maurya and Dharam Singh Saini, as well as six other MLAs.
Videos showed hundreds gathered – a majority wore no masks and did not maintain social distance.
UP Police have filed a FIR against 2,500 individuals and a notice was pasted at the party office.
Today Akhilesh Yadav said: “I appeal to (all) to abide by Covid protocols when they come to (our) office.”
Elections in UP, Punjab, Goa, Manipur, and Uttarakhand are being held amid a frightening surge in Covid cases across the country, including in some of the poll-bound states.
