Election rallies ban in Punjab till 22 January

Election rallies ban in Punjab till 22 January

ECI extends ban on physical rallies and roadshows until 22 January,

2022

ECI grants relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor

meetings of maximum of 300 persons or 50% of the capacity of the hall

or the prescribed limit set by SDMA

ECI directs political parties to adhere to the provisions of MCC and

the broad guidelines of COVID

ECI directs State/ District Administration to ensure compliance of all

instructions related to MCC and COVID

The Election Commission of India today held separate virtual meetings

with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Chief Secretaries

and Health Secretaries of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar

Pradesh, as also the Chief Electoral Officers of these five poll going States.

Chief Election Commissioner Shri Sushil Chandra along with Election

Commissioners Shri Rajiv Kumar and Shri Anup Chandra Pandey

accompanied by Secretary General and concerned Deputy Election

Commissioners held a comprehensive review of present status and

projected trends of COVID pandemic with special focus in the five poll

going states. Vaccination status and action plan for expeditiously

completing vaccination for 1st, 2nd and booster dose for eligible persons

amongst Frontline workers and polling personnel was also reviewed.

The Commission also discussed SDMA’s restrictions and state specific

extant guidelines regulating the norms of gathering of persons during the

period of pandemic.

Now, therefore, after considering the present situation, facts and

circumstances as also the inputs received in these meetings, the

Commission has directed as follows:

(1)No road show, Pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession

shall be allowed till 22 January, 2022. Commission shall

subsequently review the situation and issue further instructions

accordingly.

(2)No physical rally of Political parties or candidates (including

probable) or any other group related to election shall be allowed till

22 January, 2022.

(3)However, the Commission has granted relaxation for the political

parties to the extent that indoor meetings of maximum of 300

persons or 50% of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set

by SDMA will be allowed.

(4)Political parties shall ensure the compliance of COVID appropriate

behaviour & guidelines and Model Code of Conduct at all occasions

during the activities connected with elections.

(5)All remaining restrictions as contained in the Revised Broad

Guidelines for Conduct of Elections, 2022 issued on 8 January 2022

shall continue to operate.

All concerned State/District authorities shall ensure full compliance of

these instructions.