WB Election 2021: ECI Bans Roadshows & Vehicle Rallies Observing 'Blatant Disregard' Of Covid Norms

The Commission stated that it has noted several instances of election meetings and campaigns wherein norms of social distancing, wearing of masks, etc, have been flouted.

Representative Photo

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies being held in the West Bengal election, hours after the phase 6 polling ended on Thursday.

EC has withdrawn the permissions it had given for holding these rallies earlier. It noted "with anguish" that many political parties/candidates are not adhering to prescribed safety norms during public gatherings.

The Commission has noted several instances of election meetings and campaigns wherein norms of social distancing, wearing of masks, etc, have been flouted in blatant disregard of the Commission's aforesaid guidelines, the EC order stated.

It has also taken a serious view against repeated violations by "star campaigners/political leaders/candidates who are supposed to be torchbearers of the campaign against Covid-19, grossly violation protocols, thereby exposing themselves as well as the public to the danger of the infection".

In its fresh order, EC has issued the following directives:

• No roadshow/Pad-Yatra shall be permissible.
• No cycle/bike/vehicle rally shall be permissible.
• No public meeting beyond the limit of 500 persons at a place, subject to availability of adequate space with social distancing, adhering to Covid-19 safety norms, shall be permissible.
• Permission for roadshows, cycle/bike/vehicle rally if granted already, stands withdrawn.
• Permission for public meetings, if granted already, stands modified to the extent above.

(ANI Photo)

West Bengal on Thursday underwent its Phase 6 polling while two phases of assembly elections are remaining to be held.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi canceled his West Bengal visit slated to happen on Friday. The Prime Minister will instead be chairing high-level meetings on the prevailing circumstances.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and wrote: "Tomorrow, will be chairing high-level meetings to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation. Due to that, I would not be going to West Bengal".

The Prime Minister, being one of BJP's prime campaigners in the heated West Bengal election, was reportedly scheduled to hold 4 rallies in the state. He will instead be conducting a virtual rally at 5 PM tomorrow.

India's total tally of Coronavirus cases rose to 1,59,30,965 with 3,14,835 new infections being reported in a day, crossing the dreadful 3-lakh mark. Active cases have increased to 22,91,428, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.