Days ahead of the upcoming get-together races in five expresses, the Election Commission today expanded the prohibition on roadshows, Pad-yatras, cycle/bicycle/vehicle rallies, and parades till February 11. Nonetheless, the survey body has permitted a few unwinding in the number of individuals permitted at gatherings and political race battling.
A limit of 1,000 individuals will currently be allowed for actual public gatherings of ideological groups or challenging applicants in assigned open spaces with a limit of 1,000. Prior, the breaking point was 500.
The Commission has also expanded the cutoff for door-to-door campaigns. Rather than 10 people, presently 20 people, barring security faculty, will be considered the door-to-door campaigns.
The EC met with wellbeing and appointive authorities from the five states going to surveys to audit what is going on of Covid 19 infection and projected patterns
“All the State Chief secretaries informed the Commission about reports of Covid 19 infection either plateauing out or tapering as on date. They also said that the positivity rate is showing a decline with the number of hospitalization cases also registering a declining trend,” a release from the EC said, adding that state officers suggested continuing Covid precautions.
The election body has granted relaxation for indoor meetings. A maximum of 500 people (up from the existing 300) or 50% of the capacity of the hall are now allowed.
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said that while deliberating the relaxations, the practicality of implementation of orders by field level functionaries should be ensured in the wake of the prevailing situation.
