EC warns parties of banning rallies if Covid protocol not followed

The poll panel said that the usage of face masks, hand sanitisers and thermal scanners, social distancing and other Covid safety protocols are mandatory for all election events.


The Election Commission (EC) said on Friday that candidates and star campaigners can be banned from holding campaign rallies if COVID-19 safety protocols are not followed properly. The notice comes after polling completed in three states and one Union Territory.

The EC gave a written notice to all state and national parties on Friday saying that if they see any "breach", they will not "hesitate in banning public meetings, rallies etc. of the defaulting candidates/star campaigners/political leaders without any further reference." The poll panel said that the usage of face masks, hand sanitisers and thermal scanners, social distancing and other Covid safety protocols are mandatory for all election events.

According to the letter, the EC said that recently, Covid cases have been reported in large numbers and Covid protocols have been disregarded due to which the EC repeated the protocols.   

 

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