No roadshows, no Padyatras, cycle, bike, vehicle rally and possession of both parties and individuals and groups shall be allowed till 22nd January 2022, ECI said.
ECI gave relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings maximum of 300 person or 50% of the capacity of the hall or the presence limit set by state disaster management authority(SDMA).
ESA has directed the political parties to adhere to the provision of MCC and broad guidelines of COVID. The state district administration must ensure compliance of all instruction related to MCC and COVID.
ECI shall subsequently review situation and issue further instructions accordingly on January 22.
ECI extended the ban on rallies after holding the separate virtual meeting with union Ministry of Health and family welfare, chief secretary and health secretary of Goa, Manipur Punjab, UP and Uttarakhand and chief electoral officers of these five poll-going states.
Chief election commissioner Sushil Chandra along with election commissioners Rajeev Kumar and Anoop Chandra were accompanied by secretary general and concerned deputy election commissioners held a comprehensive review of present status and projected trends of COVID pandemic with special focus in the five poll going states.
ECI also reviewed vaccination status and action plan for expeditiously completing vaccination for first, second and booster dose for eligible persons amongst frontline workers and political personnel.
The Commission also discussed SDMA’s restrictions and state specific extant guidelines regulating the norms of gathering of person during the period of pandemic.
After considering the present situation facts and circumstances as also the inputs received in these meetings the Commission extended the ban.
ECI said that the remaining instruction as contained in the revised broad guidelines for conduct of election issued on 8 January 2022 shall continue to operate and the state and district authorities shall ensure full compliance of these instructions.
ECI also updated guidelines on publicity of criminal antecedents of political parties and candidates in light of the Supreme Court judgement and asked for their compliance.
ECI has already organized briefing meeting for general police and expenditure observers for the five states directing them to be visible, accessible and neutral and ethical in their functioning.
