As Covid cases decline, EC lifts curbs on rallies & roadshows

NEW DELHI: With the sharp fall in Covid cases in poll-bound UP and Manipur, the Election Commission on Tuesday dispensed with its 50% attendance cap for rallies and public meetings and also allowed road shows, though Covid norms of the state disaster management authority (

SDMA

) will apply in both the cases.

An EC order said parties and candidates can hold meetings and rallies without restriction of using only 50% of the venue space but subject to SDMA regulations. SDMA norms will also be applicable to road shows, which may be organised with prior permission of district authorities.

The latest relaxations in EC’s Covid curbs for campaigning came after updated information received from the Union health secretary put the number of daily cases in India at 13,400, down from 3. 4 lakh on January 21.