Lucknow, February 12: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has given relaxation to the candidates and political parties engaged in the election campaign from 6 am to 10 pm in view of the continuous decline in the cases of coronavirus infection. The commission has now also given permission to hold ‘pad yatras’.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Election Officer Ajay Kumar Shukla said here on Saturday night that the ECI on Saturday reviewed the status of Covid-19 in the poll-bound states on the basis of the information given by the Union Health Secretary regarding the status of Covid-19. . After this, the commission decided to give exemption in election campaign.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that keeping in view the facts and circumstances of Covid-19, the Commission has given relaxation in the provisions of election campaign with certain conditions to give more participation to the political parties and candidates in the elections.
He said that according to the new guidelines of the commission, now the ban for campaigning will be from 10 pm to 06 am instead of 08 pm to 08 am. All political parties and candidates can campaign from 06 am to 10 pm following the Covid protocol and rules set by State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
He further added, all political parties and candidates can hold their meetings and rallies up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the capacity of the designated open space or the limit prescribed by the SDMA, whichever is less.
“Apart from this, political parties can also undertake ‘padyatras’ with limited number of persons within the limits prescribed by SDMA. However, prior permission has to be taken from the district administration for this,” Shukla apprised.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that all other provisions related to election campaign will be in effect.
