Election Commission relaxes curbs on poll campaign

New Delhi: With mere days left for Assembly elections to begin in five States, the Election Commission of India has now granted additional relaxations for poll campaign.

As per the latest directives released on Sunday, restrictions on outdoor and indoor meetings have been eased further, even as the ban on roadshows, processions, and 'padayatra' continues to remain in place.

"Ban on road shows, pad-yatras, cycle, bike or vehicle rallies and processions to continue. ECI grants further relaxation for physical public meetings in indoor halls and outdoor meetings," tweeted ECI spokesperson Sheyphali Sharan, sharing the detailed press note. Additionally, the ban on campaigning between 8 pm and 8 am will also continue.

According to the official communique, the number of people persons attending the indoor or outdoor meetings will be "limited to maximum of 50% of the capacity of Indoor halls and 30% of the open ground capacity or as fixed by DEO as per requirement of the social distancing norms and whichever is less".

The EC has also put forth a set of guidelines for such meetings, mandating that open ground rallies can only be held in grounds specifically designated by the district authorities and subject to compliance of all the conditions of SDMA. "Allocation of these grounds will be given equitably by District Administration through e-Suvidha portal on first come first serve basis. Capacities of these grounds will be fixed by the District Administration well in advance and notify to all the parties," the EC said.

The decision was taken after the Election Commission held a meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Saturday to assess the prevailing ground situation. The Health Ministry informed the Commission that Covid-19 cases are fast receding in the country and the poll going states are contributing a very small proportion of the total reported cases in the country.