Kohima, October 5 (MExN): The Election Commission (EC) has issued guidelines to be followed by all stakeholders during the conduct of bye-election during COVID-19 vide Press Note ECI/PN/83/2021 dated September 28, 2021 as follows:
|
1 |
Nomination |
During Pre and post nomination, procession/public meeting is prohibited. Only three vehicles is permitted within a periphery of 100 meters of RO's office. No procession for nomination shall be permitted. |
|
2 |
Campaign period |
|
|
|
(a) Meeting: |
Indoor: 30% of allowed capacity or 200 persons, whichever is less. A register will be maintained to count the number of people attending the meeting. Outdoor: With 50% of capacity (as per Covid-19 guidelines) or 1000 in the case of Star Campaigners and 50% of the capacity or 500 in all other cases. In either case, the allowed number is whichever is less. The entire area will be cordoned off and will be guarded by the police. The count of people entering the ground will be monitored. Expenditure for the cordoning/barricading will be borne by the candidate/party. Only those grounds which are cordoned/barricaded completely will be used for rallies. |
|
|
(b) Star Campaigners |
Number of Star Campaigners is restricted to 20 for National/State parties and 10 for unrecognized parties |
|
|
(c) Road show |
No Road show shall be allowed and no Motor/Bike/Cycle rallies are allowed |
|
|
(d) Street corner meeting |
Maximum 50 persons shall be allowed (subject to availability of space and compliance to COVID-19 guidelines) |
|
|
(e) Door to door campaign |
Door to door campaign with 5 persons including candidates/their representatives. |
|
|
(f) Campaign through video van |
Not more than 50 audiences shall be allowed in one cluster point subject to availability of space and compliance to covid guidelines |
|
|
(g) Use of vehicles for campaign |
Total vehicles allowed for a candidate/political party (excluding Star Campaigner) will be 20. Maximum no. of persons allowed per vehicle will be 50% of the capacity. |
|
3 |
Silence period |
The silence period is 72 hours before the end of poll. |
|
4 |
Poll day activities |
Maximum 2 vehicles with 3 persons each shall be allowed. Security as per the applicable extant guidelines. Poll day activity on polling station as per ECI guidelines. |
|
5 |
Counting day |
DEOs to take appropriate measures to prevent crowding. Social distancing and other COVID safety protocols to be strictly adhered to all times during counting. |
The EC stated that all such activities will be strictly complied as per COVID-19 guidelines issued by competent authorities. Social distancing and use of mask, sanitizers, thermal scanning, face shield, hand gloves etc. as per COVID-19 protocol, have to be complied with. If a candidate or political party violates any of the above guidelines, no more permission shall be given to the concerned candidate/party for rallies, meetings etc. If any Star Campaigner violates the COVID protocols, he shall not be allowed to campaign further in that constituency/district.
Candidate/election agent/polling agent/counting agent/driver etc. whoever is coming in contact with the public or election officials have to be double vaccinated.
.jpg)
