EC to make decision on removal of ban on political rallies amid COVID scare

The Election Commission held a meeting on Saturday to discuss if the ban on physical rallies and roadshows that it imposed to combat the spread of coronavirus should be maintained. On January 8, the poll panel declared the dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, and Manipur, as well as a ban on physical rallies, road and bike shows, and other campaigning events till January 15. The ban was extended until January 22 by the Commission on January 15. It had, however, given political parties a reprieve, allowing them to have indoor gatherings of up to 300 persons or 50% of the hall's capacity, whichever is higher, or the prescribed limit imposed by state crisis management authorities.