The Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to extend the ban on public rallies and roadshows in the five poll-bound states.
As per reports, the poll panel is expected to extend the ban by a week.
Five states – Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand – will hold Assembly elections across seven phases from February 10 till March 7.
The EC had earlier prohibited physical rallies, road and bike shows, and similar campaigning events till January 15 in view of coronavirus and later extended the ban till January 22.
The commission had, however, granted a relaxation for political parties to hold indoor meetings of maximum 300 people or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall.
“ECI extends ban on physical rallies and roadshows until 22 January, 2022. ECI grants relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings of maximum of 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority),” the EC had said on its Twitter handle.
While Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in seven phases starting February 10, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will hold election in single phase from February 14. Elections in Manipur will be held in two phases – February 27 and March 3.
Results for all the states will be declared on March 10.
Considering the alarming rise in coronavirus cases and growing concerns over its Omicron variant, the EC has issued a set of guidelines for the political parties.
The EC advised political parties and candidates to conduct their campaign as much as possible through “digital/virtual/ media platforms /mobile based mode” instead of physical mode ensuring strict compliance of COVID safety norms.
