ECI Extends Roadshows Ban Till February 11, With Certain Relaxations In 5 Poll Bound States

The Election Commission of India (ECI,) on the 31st of January, extended the ban imposed on conducting rallies and campaigns ahead of the Assembly elections.

Notably, 5 Indian states: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur are set to contest the Assembly elections, from February.

On Monday, the ECI said, no physical rallies would be allowed till the 11th of February 2022. The decision to extend the ban on physical rallies came after the commission reviewed the Wuhan virus situation. According to sources, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Mr. Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioners Mr. Rajiv Kumar and Mr. Anup Chandra Pandey held a meeting. During the meeting, they had a comprehensive review of the present Wuhan virus situation. After the detailed discussion, the ECI extended the ban.

However, the ECI has relaxed some curbs on the number of people that can attend physical public meetings, indoor meetings, and door-to-door campaigning.

The ECI allowed rallies with a maximum capacity of 1,000 people, indoor meetings to have a maximum capacity of 500 people. Twenty people allowed for the door-to-door campaign and meetings.

The elections in the five poll-bound states are scheduled between the 10th of February to the 7th of March, 2022. The results of the Assembly elections would be announced on the 10th of March.