Election Commission extends ban on poll rallies, roadshows till January 22

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New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday (January 15) extended the ban on poll rallies and roadshows in states till January 22 in the wake of rise in Covid-19 cases. 

The ECI has allowed political parties to hold indoor meetings with a maximum of 300 persons or 50% of the capacity of the hall.

ECI allows political parties to hold indoor meetings with a maximum of 300 persons or 50% of the capacity of the hall. pic.twitter.com/dR32PfMZlN — ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2022

The poll body also directed political parties to comply with the provisions of the model code of conduct and to the pandemic control measures.

On January 8, the EC while announcing the poll schedule for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand Manipur, Goa and Punjab, had banned public rallies, roadshows and similar physical campaigning events till January 15. The ban has now been extended by another week.

Elections for 403 assembly seats in UP, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa will be completed in seven phases that will be held between February 10 and March 7, the Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra had announced on January 8. The result will be announced on March 10. Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will vote on February 14 in one phase and Manipur in two phases on February 27 and March 3. UP will vote in 7 phases on these dates: Feburary 10, 14, 20, 23, 27; March 3 and 7.

Meanwhile, India reported 2,68,833 new COVID-19 cases and 402 deaths, which took the total death toll to 4,85,752, as per data released by the Ministry of Health on Saturday. 

(With agency inputs)