EC to introduce Covid norms for crowds

The Election Commission is set to introduce Covid-19 guidelines for crowd management at ‘video van’ events which have become the new mode of election campaigning for political parties amid the pandemic-led restrictions.

After public rallies were banned in all poll-bound states–Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur–in view of the surge in coronavirus infections, political parties have been reaching out to the public with their election awareness programmes in virtual mode.

Most parties have invested heavily in ‘video vans’– vans mounted with large LED screens–which are moved around and stationed at public places to reach out to voters. The BJP has launched its ‘LED’ rath campaign for all 403 Assembly segments in Uttar Pradesh.

With Covid-19 infections spreading fast, the EC wants to ensure that social distancing norms are maintained at all such ‘video van’ events.

Specific guidelines on the same will accordingly be issued soon, poll panel officials confirmed.

With most of the campaign going virtual, the poll panel is also keeping a close watch on political parties – from money spent to content circulated on the virtual campaign mode.

ET has learnt that the EC is unlikely to give full relaxation to public rallies after January 22, given that some of the poll-bound states are yet to achieve desirable vaccination coverage.

The EC will be holding a meeting on Saturday to decide on the next steps on rallies. Sources indicated that some relaxations may come in with a restricted number of people participation, but full strength public rallies are unlikely now.

On January 8, as it had announced the poll schedule for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur, the EC had also ordered a complete ban on physical rallies, roadshows and padyatras until January 15, in view of the Omicron threat. In its January 15 meeting, the poll panel had extended the ban up to January 22 but permitted a relaxation to political parties to hold indoor meetings with a maximum of 300 people, or 50% of the capacity of the hall, or the limit set by the State Disaster Management Authority.The number of new Covid-19 cases and the positivity rate have, however, been rising, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

The concern factor for the EC is vaccination coverage–to which it is also linking any further relaxation in campaigning norms.

ET had reported that the EC strongly pulled up the Punjab and Manipur governments over inadequate first and second dose vaccination coverage. UP was also reminded to up its second dose coverage.

The Centre has also set a target for the five poll-bound states to fully vaccinate at least 75% of their eligible population by January 31 and ensure first dose vaccination for 90% of the population.Currently, UP has covered 62% of its population with a second dose, Punjab is at 50 % and Manipur at just 43%. Uttarakhand and Goa have done well with over 85% and 93% second dose coverage, respectively.

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