EC extends ban on physical rallies and road shows till Jan 31 but allows public meeting for Phase 1 from Jan 28

The Election Commission on Saturday extended the ban on physical rallies and road shows till January 31, but exempted from January 28 for Phase 1 and for physical public gatherings of parties or contesting candidates from February 1 for Phase 2. Limit of people allowed for door-to-door campaign.

For the door-to-door campaign, instead of five, now 10 people except security personnel will be allowed.

Earlier in the day, the commission held a series of virtual meetings to decide whether the ban imposed by it on physical rallies and road shows to prevent the spread of COVID-19 should continue. While announcing the dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur on January 8, the Election Commission had announced a ban on physical rallies, road and bike shows and similar campaigning programs till January 15.

On 15 January, the ECI extended the ban till 22 January. However, it had allowed political parties to hold indoor meetings of a maximum of 300 people or 50 per cent of the hall’s capacity.