Election Rallies

The Election Commission ordered exemptions for indoor and outdoor rallies for five polling states, on February 6. In addition, 50% crowd is allowed for indoor rallies, while 30% capacity is permitted for outdoor rallies. The decision was taken in view of the steady decline in the rate of Covid-19 infection. Notably, the ban on padayatra, roadshows, and vehicle rallies remains, while door-to-door campaigning with a 20-person limit will… read-more

The Election Commission on May 2 directed the Chief Secretaries of the states to file FIR in every case where there is a victory gathering after election results are declared. The EC also directed the authorities to suspend the police station in charge of the area where victory gatherings are reported. Due to COVID-19 outspread, the EC had earlier banned victory rallies and gatherings in all five states.

The BJP on April 19 announced to suspend all the big rallies, including those of PM Narendra Modi, in West Bengal due to the rising COVID threat. The party said that no meeting will be held for more than 500 people and it would utilise its "massive digital footprint" to appeal voters across the state. The TMC, Congress and the Left have already announced to cancle election rallies.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on April 18 called off all his election rallies in West Bengal, citing the current COVID-19 situations. Taking to Twitter, the leader stated, "I am suspending all my public rallies in West Bengal. I would advise all political leaders to think deeply about the consequences." Meanwhile, voting for the remaining three phases of the state assembly elections is slated for April 22, 26 and 29.

Stanford University claimed that rallies done by the US President Donald Trump have 'downplayed the risk of COVID-19 infections' in the US as it contributed to a spike in cases. Research by the university stated that Trump's 18 election rallies, between June 20 and September 22 possibly contributed 30,000 cases and 700 deaths in the country. It further mentioned non-adherence to precautionary measures as a primary reason for the outbreak.