In the wake of ongoing Covid-19 third wave, states, the Election Commission today extended the ban on all types of political rallies/roadshows, till February 11.
It will include pad-yatras, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and other forms of processions for Assembly elections.
This comes after the poll body had allowed some relaxation in the number of people permitted at election campaigning.
Currently, a maximum of 1,000 people will be permitted for physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates in designated open spaces with a maximum of 1,000.
Election rallies and India’s Covid Graph
India had 2.09 lakh new Covid cases on Monday. This is 10 per cnet lower than yesterday. The positivity rate also rose to 15.7 per cent from 14.5 per cent. Moreover, India’s active caseload currently stands at 18,31,268.
And the recovery rate of India currently stands at 94.37 per cent. The WHO has also been warning against lowering the guards. Election rallies might become hotspots to spread the coronavirus, this is why the EC has been keeping a check on the gathering.
The Election Commission has also increased the limit for door to door campaigns. This decision comes after the EC met with health and electoral officials from the five poll-bound states to review the present situation of Covid 19.
India is now facing the twin challenge of pandemic and economic recovery. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Economic Survey 2022 today.
The only way to keep coronavirus at bay is to practice social distancing and masking up. Vaccination adds to it when we talk about following Covid-appropriate behaviour.
“All the State Chief secretaries informed the Commission about reports of Covid 19 infection either plateauing out or tapering as on date. They also said that the positivity rate is showing a decline with the number of hospitalisation cases also registering a declining trend,” a release from the EC says.
Moreover, the Election Commission has also granted relaxation for indoor election meetings. A maximum of 500 people or 50 per cent of capacity of the hall are allowed.
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