State Polls: Rallies, Roadshows Banned Till Jan 15 Amid Omicron Surge

The holding of timely election is the "essence of maintaining democratic governance," the Election Commission said today, defending  its decision to go ahead with elections in five states amid a raging third wave of Covid driven by the highly infectious Omicron variant. To ensure people's safety, the Commission, for the first time, has barred physical rallies and roadshows till January 15, saying the rule will be reviewed after that since the "ground situation is dynamic".

Public meetings however, will be allowed with restrictions on timings. Door-to-door campaign also will be allowed, with  a bar on the number of people in the teams.

The focus will be on Covid safety measures to ensure maximum participation in polls, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra told reporters today while announcing the poll dates.

"The candidates should conduct their campaign through virtual mode as much as possible... There will be no nukkad sabhas (neighbourhood meetings) on public roads and no victory procession after the counting," said the Commission, which came under huge criticism after the second wave of Covid that followed a string of assembly elections in April-May last year.

"All voters, candidates, parties, should be conscious towards public health and Covid protocols. The parties should give masks and sanitisers for political meets. Door-to-door campaign can involve only five people in each team," said Mr Chandra.

If a candidate or political party violates any of the above guidelines, further permission for rallies and meetings will be withheld, the Commission said.

All polling stations will be equipped with Covid-mitigation facilities including sanitisers and masks, the number of booths will be increased. The voting time will also be increased by an hour, the Commission said.

The Commission said it had decided to go ahead with the polls after detailed discussions with the Union Health Secretary and Home Secretary, experts and health secretaries of the concerned states.
"After taking note of the views and the ground situation, the Election Commission of India decided to announce polls with safety norms in place," said Mr Chandra.

Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi, however questioned the EC's rationale behind the review date and the line drawn between rallies and public meetings.

"What changes are you expecting after the 15th? Also what is the difference between rallies and public meetings that the first should be banned and the other allowed," he told NDTV.