New Delhi: The Election Commission has extended the prohibition of physical demonstrations and roadshows until January 22 in the state in which assembly selection is scheduled for February-March.
The Commission has on January 8 forbid demonstrations and roadshows until January 15, when announcing polls to five states.
The extension of the ban came in the midst of a surge in Covid cases throughout the country, such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur preparing to do polls.
Also read: Is it time for Indian elections for digital? But the parties have been allowed to hold indoor meetings with a maximum of 300 people, or a capacity of 50% of the venue, which is lower.
The Commission has also directed the party to comply with the covid model and protocol code during the selection.
The polling panel directs state and district administration to ensure compliance with all instructions associated with the polling code and in pandemic control measures.
There are several calls for a demonstration and meeting prohibition when India witnessed the wave of other Covid infections.
Some parties have faced criticism to hold large demonstrations in the middle of a pandemic when several countries went to the poll in April-May last year.
A recent survey by a local community-based digital platform concludes that 31% of beneficial people delay assembly selection, while 41% want political demonstrations forbidden.