Mobilenews24x7 Bureau
New Delhi, Jan 22 : The restriction on rallies in the poll bound states was extended up to January 31, on account of the continuing surge in Covid-19 cases.
The Election Commission of India held a review meeting with the Health Secretary and Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers and Health Secretaries of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, along with Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey and other officials, held a comprehensive review of the present situation with respect to status and projected trends of Covid pandemic in the five poll going states.
The Commission also reviewed Vaccination status and action plan for expeditiously completing vaccination for first, second and booster dose for eligible persons amongst polling personnel, a statement from the poll panel said.
“No road show, Pad-yatra, cycle, bike, or vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till January 31, 2022,” the ECI said.
It also said since contesting candidates for first phase elections will be finalised on January 27, Commission has decided to allow physical meetings of concerned political parties or contesting candidates in designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser, from January 28, till February 8, excluding the silence period.
As contesting candidates for second phase will be finalised on January 31, the ECI decided to allow physical meetings with the same restrictions from February 1 to February 12.
It also enhanced the limit of door to door campaign. Instead of five persons, now 10 persons, excluding security personnel, will be allowed for door to door campaigns.
The ECI has already granted relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings of a maximum of 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA is allowed. The Commission has also allowed video vans for publicity with usual Covid restrictions at designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 viewers or 50 per cent of the capacity or the limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser.
The poll panel said 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.
The statement added that the Commission will review these instructions at a subsequent date.
Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 10 and March 7, as it also laid down an extensive guideline to be followed in the polls in view of Covid.
Counting of votes will be done on March 10.
The elections in Uttar Pradesh will take place on February 10, 14 , 20, 23, 27, March 3 and 7.
Manipur will go to the polls on February 27 and March 3. Goa, and Uttarakhand will vote on February 14, and Punjab on February 20.
