Political campaigning allowed by ECI | REPRESENTATIVE
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced that political parties and candidates will be allowed to hold meetings, rallies and roadshows, subject to respective State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) regulations and prior permission of district authorities.
The ECI announced the relaxations in view of the declining Covid-19 cases in the country. It said that the 50 percent cap now stood relaxed.
The central polling body, in a notification, said that the decision was taken after a periodic review of the Covid-19 status in the country, especially in the poll bound states.
The note read, “Today, the Election Commission took a periodic review of the status of COVID in the country and especially in the poll bound states. As per updated information received from the Union Health Secretary, the COVID cases have already declined significantly and have come to a minimal level in the country.”
It said that the number of cases had declined from 3.47 lakh on January 21 to 13.4 thousand on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
“Even in the reported cases, the maximum number of cases are from non-poll going states. Specially in the poll going states of Uttar Pradesh and Manipur, total number of cases which were more than 16.7 thousand at peak on January 22, have come down to just about 500 cases on February 22,” it added.
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The ECI also stated that considering the number of Covid-19 cases have declined in the poll bound states and taking into account the need of the political parties and candidates, the electoral body decided on certain relaxations regarding campaigning with immediate effect.
“Political parties and candidates will be allowed to hold their meetings, rallies subject to SDMA regulations,” the ECI stated, adding, “Restriction of using only 50 percent capacity of space has been relaxed.”
The note further read, “The commission has also allowed road shows subject to SDMA regulations and with prior permission of district authorities.”
“All other existing provisions related to electioneering shall continue to operate,” it added.
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The notification from ECI
