Rally permission will be cancelled if COVID-19 norms violated, warns Election Commission

The Election Commission will cancel all rallies of a candidate or a party if either is found in violation of its Covid-19 guidelines, according to the tightened rulebook for the elections in five states announced Saturday.

"If a candidate or political party violates any of the guidelines, no further permission shall be given to the concerned candidate/party for rallies, meetings, etc.," the latest EC guidelines stated.

Having burnt its fingers in West Bengal elections where the enforcement of its Covid-19 guidelines was found wanting, the poll panel has now firmly placed accountability towards implementation with the state administration machinery and the district election officer in particular, as reported first by ET.


It has sought that the state chief secretary - in keeping with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 - "shall, as and when required and as per the evolving/contextual needs of the state, at once bring to the notice of the commission any new trend, development/situation that is not covered by these broad guidelines for general elections and warrants commission's intervention during the electoral process" in the state.

The poll panel has sought so that it can take necessary further steps with respect to electoral process in relation to the spread of the pandemic.

The EC has also shot off an advisory to political parties with dos and don'ts, warned state and district officials against any laxity on observing Covid-19 norms and put the public rally's sustainability on notice.

It has started the election season by banning all public rallies, pad yatras and vehicle rallies until January 15, and declaring that it will review the situation thereafter, depending on the "dynamic" pandemic situation.

Alongside, it has brought in a night "campaign curfew" from 8pm to 8am for the entire campaign period, unlike the usual 10 pm.

The EC has also advised all political parties and candidates to conduct their campaign "as much as possible through digital/virtual/media platforms/mobile-based mode, instead of physical mode, ensuring strict compliance of Covid safety norms".

All physical rallies shall be conducted subject to adherence to extant Covid-19 guidelines and political parties will submit an undertaking to the EC assuring this, it said.

Nukkad sabhas (meeting) will not be allowed on public roads, roundabouts or public streets or corners. Also, no more than five people including the candidate will be allowed to conduct door-to-door campaigns.

The maximum number of star campaigners for recognised national/state political parties has been curtailed to 30 from 40, and to 15 from 20 for unrecognised parties.