New Delhi: The Election Commission is holding a series of virtual meets today to decide whether the ban imposed by it on physical rallies and roadshows to prevent the spread of coronavirus should continue.
Announcing dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur on January 8th, the Election Commission had announced a ban on physical rallies, road and bike shows, and similar campaigning events till January 15th. On January 15th, the commission extended the ban until January 22nd.
It had, however, granted a relaxation for political parties to hold indoor meetings of maximum 300 people or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall. The poll panel is holding the virtual meets to seek inputs from the Union Health Ministry, experts, the five poll-bound states and respective state chief electoral officers to arrive at a decision.
Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 10th and March 7th. The election results will be announced on March 10th. The Election commission’s aim is to have maximum voters vaccinated before the elections held in these particular states.