BAN ON ELECTION CAMPAIGNING EXTENDS
(The Quiver) : Days ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in five states, the Election Commission today extended the ban on roadshows, Pad-yatras, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and processions till February 11.
The poll body has allowed some relaxation in the number of people allowed at meetings and election campaigning. These relaxations are :
The Commission has increased 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.
A maximum of 1,000 people are now permitted for physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates in designated open spaces with a maximum of 1,000. Earlier, the limit was 500.
The election body granted relaxation for indoor meetings. A maximum of 500 people (up from the existing 300) or 50% of the capacity of the hall are now allowed.
The Election Commission has reviewed over the present situation of Covid 19 infection and projected trends by meeting with health and electoral officials from the five states going to polls .
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said that while deliberating the relaxations, the practicality of implementation of orders by field level functionaries should be ensured in the wake of the prevailing situation.
