EC extends ban on physical rallies, 10 people allowed for door to door campaigning

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel during a door-to-door election campaign
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel during a door-to-door election campaign for Congress party, ahead of UP assembly polls, in Noida, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. Photo: PTI

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has extended ban on physical rallies and road shows till January 31. However, relaxation for Physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates for Phase 1 election will be allowed from January 28, and for Phase 2 from February 1, the poll panel said.

The limit of 5 persons for door-to-door campaigning has been enhanced to 10 persons and video vans for publicity has been permitted at designated open spaces with Covid restrictions but no road show, pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till January 31.

The Commission said since contesting candidates for Phase 1 elections will be finalised on January 27, it has been decided to allow physical meetings of concerned political parties or contesting candidates from January 28 till February 8. The meetings can be held at designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser.

The commission for phase 2 said that the contesting candidates for Phase 2 elections will be finalised on January 31. It will allow physical meetings of concerned political parties or contesting candidates with public in designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the ground from February 1 to 12.

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