Election Commission Extends Ban On Physical Poll Rallies Till Jan 31; Check Other Changes

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) has extended ban on physical poll rallies till January 31 but raised the number of participants for door-to-door campaign from 5 to 10.

In a fresh order, the EC has also allowed video vans for publicity at designated open spaces with COVID restrictions.

The EC also announced relaxation for physical public meetings of Political parties or contesting candidates for Phase 1 from January 28,
and for Phase 2 from February 1.

The Commissioner held series of virtual meets on Saturday to decide whether the ban imposed by it on physical rallies and roadshows to prevent the spread of coronavirus should continue.

Announcing dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur on January 8, the poll panel had announced a ban on physical rallies, road and bike shows and similar campaigning events till January 15.

On January 15, the Commission extended the ban till January 22.

It 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.

The poll panel is holding the virtual meets to seek inputs from the Union Health Ministry, experts, the five poll-bound states and respective state chief electoral officers to arrive at a decision, official sources said.