EC extends ban on physical rallies and roadshows till January 31; some relaxations offered for phase 1, 2

In view of rapid spike in coronavirus cases, the Election Commission today extended the ban on physical rallies and road shows till January 31. The decision was taken by the poll body following a meeting with the Union health secretary and the chief secretaries of the five poll-bound states.

However, relaxation for physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates for Phase 1 has been allowed from January 28 and for phase 2 from February 1.

The polly body also increased the earlier limit of 5 persons for door to door campaign to 10 persons. Video vans for publicity are permitted at designated open spaces with COVID restrictions.


Earlier, when the Election Commission had extended the ban on physical rallies till January 22, it had allowed political parties to hold indoor meetings with a maximum of 300 people or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall.