Ban on rallies extended, EC transferred 3 DMs, 2 SPs in UP

In Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission on Saturday transferred both DM and SP from Firozabad, DMs of Kanpur and Bareilly and district police chief of Kaushambi following complaints against them from opposition parties. It was first action against civil and police officer after announcement of Assembly elections in the state.

The Election Commission also extended the ban on physical rallies and roadshows in five poll-bound states till January 31 amid the third wave of the Covid pandemic in the country. The decision was taken by the Election Commission following a meeting with the Union health secretary and the chief health secretaries of the five states. Relaxation for physical public meetings of political parties/contesting candidates for Phase 1 allowed from Jan 28,for Phase 2 from Feb 1. Limit of 5 ppl for door-to-door campaign enhanced to 10. Video vans for publicity permitted at designated open spaces with COVID restrictions.

The decision came after the election body held a meeting earlier in the day with the Union Health Secretary and the Chief Health Secretaries of the five states to review the restrictions given the surge in coronavirus cases. It said that the limit of five people for door-to-door campaign has been raised to 10, excluding security personnel and video vans for publicity permitted at designated open spaces with COVID-19 restrictions. Other instructions on door-to-door campaigns will continue.