The State Election Commission on Monday stuck to its schedule for the January 22 elections to the four municipal corporations, saying it would not allow large political rallies or road shows and would allow small teams of five political activists, including candidates, to go door-to-door. Will give Door campaign.
Keeping in view the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in West Bengal, the new guidelines announced on Monday also put restrictions on the number of people allowed in a campaign meeting of a political party from 8 pm to 9 am. By noon, various forms of propaganda were banned. “No road shows or ‘padayatras’ (walking rallies) will be allowed. Cycle/Bike/Vehicle rally will not be allowed. Except security personnel, maximum 5 persons including candidates are allowed door-to-door campaigning.”
It also said that “a meeting of a political party held in an open space is permitted up to a maximum of 500 persons – a large ground with separate entry and exit.” The SEC statement said a maximum of 200 persons, or hall 50 percent of the seating capacity, would be allowed at a meeting of a political party held in a convention hall. The state election panel said that permission for public meeting, if already granted, is allowed as per the revised guidelines of the commission. “No rallies, public meetings, plays etc. shall be permitted between 8 pm and 9 pm on any day during the period of road campaign and no campaign shall be conducted till 72 hours before the end of the poll.
Double vaccination is mandatory for election staff, including polling personnel, while candidates and polling agents must be subjected to forced screening at least once, the statement said. Elections to Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, Chandannagar Municipal Corporation, Siliguri Municipal Corporation and Asansol Municipal Corporation will be held on January 22. The SEC also decided to appoint a nodal health officer to oversee the COVID-19 related arrangements and preventive measures during elections, an official said, adding that the commission made it mandatory for every person entering the polling place to wear a mask. And all polling stations have been ordered to be cleaned. “There will be thermal scanning and hand sanitization of all persons entering the polling premises,” he said.
According to the SEC official, the quarantined COVID patients will be allowed to cast their votes at their respective polling stations in the last hour of the polling day.
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