The Election Commission has extended the ban on physical rallies and roadshows in poll-bound states till January 31 but allowed public meetings by parties and candidates in open spaces, subject to a cap of 500 people, for the campaign of first phase starting January 28 and second phase beginning February1.
While physical rallies, padyatras, roadshows and car or bike rallies will not be allowed in constituencies going to the polls between Phases 3 and Phase 7, in-person public meetings with maximum 500 people or up to 50% of the ground capacity or existing SDMA limit.
Roadshows and padyatras will remain barred till January 31even in constituencies going to polls in the first two phases. EC sources said the Covid situation is expected to turn around and vaccination coverage likely to reach satisfactory levels by January 31, when the poll panel will review campaign curbs next. If this happens, physical meetings with a similar cap may eventually be allowed across all phases.
The EC, which took stock of the Covid situation in the five poll-bound states in virtual meetings with the Union health secretary and state chief secretaries and chief electoral officers, also allowed video vans for publicity in open spaces with maximum 500 viewers or up to 50% capacity or SDMA limit, whichever is less, provided these do not cause public inconvenience or hinder smooth flow of traffic. As per guidelines for video/digital van meetings issued by the EC, they may be operated only between 8 am and 8 pm with the stoppage time at any viewing point not exceeding 30 minutes.
