EC extends silence period, warns parties

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India on Friday banned campaigning from 7pm to 10am and extended the silence period for the upcoming three phases of the West Bengal election to 72 hours, warning candidates and political parties of strict action for violations as Covid-19 cases spike across the country. The commission directed parties and candidates to provide masks and sanitisers to participants at rallies and meetings, threatening strict action, including penal provisions, over non-compliance.

“Candidates and parties shall ensure absolute, repeat absolute, adherence to Covid guidelines in letter and spirit. Violations , if any shall be sternly dealt with and action, including criminal action, taken as per extant legal framework,” the EC said in a letter to all political parties.

“In view of unprecedented public health situation and the imperative of ongoing elections, the commission extended the silence period up to 72 hours (instead of 48 hours) and restricted the period of campaign up to 7pm (instead of 10pm). These orders have come into effect immediately,” the commission said.

The fifth phase of the West

Bengal Assembly election will be held on April 17. Political parties such as the Trinamool Congress had demanded that the remaining three phases of the poll be clubbed into one, but EC officials familiar with the matter said the suggestion was not tenable and the elections would continue as scheduled. The commission also conducted an all-party meeting on Friday to address concerns of political outfits. “TMC wanted one phase. BJP wanted to go as per schedule, while other parties said they would follow whatever is decided by the chief electoral officer and EC,” said an EC official familiar with the matter

The official said there have been no problems at booth level, and a majority of election officials have been vaccinated.