Election Commission extends ban on physical rallies till January 31 in poll-bound states

Election Commission of India has extended the ban on all physical rallies till January 31 in the five poll-bound states. Road shows will also remain banned till that time.

The limit of 5 persons for door to door campaign has been enhanced to 10 persons.

Video vans for publicity are permitted at designated open spaces with Covid restrictions in place.

Earlier the Election Commission held a series of virtual meets on Saturday to decide whether the ban imposed by it on physical rallies and roadshows to prevent the spread of coronavirus should continue.


Announcing dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur on January 8, the poll panel had announced a ban on physical rallies, road and bike shows, and similar campaigning events till January 15.

On January 15, the commission extended the ban until January 22.

It had, however, granted a relaxation for political parties to hold indoor meetings of maximum 300 people or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall.

With PTI inputs