EC issues fresh guidelines on political rallies amid rising COVID cases

In light of the mounting incidents of COVID-19, the Election Commission decided to extend the ban on physical rallies and roadshows until January 22.  On January 8, when the poll panel announced the election timetable for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, and Manipur, it took a bold step of banning public rallies, roadshows, and other physical campaigning events till January 15. Before agreeing to extend the prohibition, the election commission met with the Union health secretary and the chief secretaries of the five poll-bound states today.