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New Delhi : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 22, 2022, extended ban on physical rallies and road shows till January 31, 2022, in five poll-bound states : Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It enhanced the limit of 5 persons for door to door campaign to 10 persons. The ECI has permitted video vans for publicity at designated open spaces with Covid restrictions
The ECI on January 22, 2022, held a review meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, through virtual mode. The Commission also held virtual meetings with Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers, and Health Secretaries of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey, accompanied by Secretary General and Deputy Election Commissionersconcerned, held a comprehensive review of the present situation with respect to status and projected trends of Covid pandemic in the five states. The Commission also reviewed vaccination status and action plan for expeditiously completing vaccination for 1st, 2nd, and booster dose for eligible persons amongst polling personnel. The Commission deliberated on relaxing restrictions for physical rallies in the wake of prevailing situation.
After taking into consideration inputs and ground reports from these officers, the Commission also deliberated on requirements of the campaign period in phases where candidate list will be finalised on January 27, 2022, for Phase 1 and on January 31, 2022 for Phase 2, according to a PIB release.
After considering the present situation, facts and circumstances as also the inputs received at these meetings, the Commission has decided as follows:
(1) No road show, Pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till January 31, 2022.
(2) Since contesting candidates for Phase 1 elections will be finalised on January 27, 2022, the Commission has decided to allow physical meetings of political parties concerned or contesting candidates in designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 persons or 50% of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser, from January 28, 2022, till February 8, 2022 (excluding the silence period).
(3) Since contesting candidates for Phase 2 elections will be finalised on January 31 2022, the Commission has decided to allow physical meetings of political parties concerned or contesting candidates with public in designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 persons or 50% of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser, from February 1, 2022, till February 12, 2022 (excluding the silence period).
(4) The Commission has also enhanced the limit of door to door campaign. Instead of 5 persons, now 10 persons, excluding security personnel, will be allowed for door to door campaigns. Other instructions on door to door campaigns will continue.
5) Commission has already granted relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings of a maximum of 300 persons or 50% of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA is allowed.
(6) Commission has also allowed video vans for publicity with usual Covidd restrictions at designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 viewers or 50 % of the capacity or the limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser, in the five states subject to public convenience and no hindrance to smooth flow of traffic. (Instructions in this regard are being sent to the CEOs separately).
(7) 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.
(8) It shall be the responsibility of the DEO concerned to identify and to notify the designated spaces in advance for the aforesaid purposes.
(9) All remaining restrictions as contained in the Revised Broad Guidelines for Conduct of Elections, 2022, issued on January 8, 2022, shall continue to operate.
All concerned State/District authorities shall ensure full compliance of these instructions. The Commission will review these instructions at a subsequent date.
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