Election Commission of India gave relaxations five poll bound states

Election Commission of India gave relaxations five poll bound states. On January 22, the Election Commission of India has extended the ban on large rallies and roadshows till January 31 in the five poll-bound states- Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur. The Chief  Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar, Anup Chandra Pandey, Secretary-General, and concerned Deputy Election Commissioners held a meeting to review the situation. They also reviewed the vaccination drives in the states. 

Relaxations

The Election Commission allowed physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates in designated open areas. The poll panel allowed physical meetings in open spaces with a maximum of 500 people or 50 percent of the capacity of the venue or limit set by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), whichever number is lesser. 

They have also allowed video vans for publicity with usual COVID restrictions at designated spaces with a maximum of five hundred viewers or 50 percent of the capacity. Political parties and contesting candidates shall follow the COVID 19 guidelines and Model Code of Conduct on all occasions during the activities connected with elections. It shall be the duty of the concerned officer to notify the designated places in advance.