Election Commission ban on roadshows continues

The Election Commission has extended the ban on roadshows, 'pad yatras', cycle and vehicle rallies but relaxed restrictions for indoor and outdoor political meets for the upcoming assembly elections in five states. The decision comes after the panel held a meeting with the secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday to assess the coronavirus pandemic situation in the country. "Restrictions regarding outdoor meeting, indoor meetings, rallies will be further relaxed subject to condition that the number of persons attending will be limited to maximum of 50 per cent of the capacity of indoor halls and 30 per cent of the open ground capacity or as fixed by DEO as per requirement of the social distancing norms and whichever is less," the poll panel said in a statement on Sunday.

The decision to ban political rallies was taken on January 8 after a surge in COVID-19 cases in India. The restrictions have been gradually relaxed since then as the panel continues to review the pandemic situation. Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab, and Uttarakhand will vote over seven phases starting February 10, with counting of votes scheduled for March 10. Political parties have been using social media and virtual rallies to reach out to the voters.