Election Commission increases silence period for upcoming three phases of West Bengal Assembly elections to 72 hours

The EC ordered that no campaigning would be allowed in the state between 7pm and 10am, due to the risks posed by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday extended the silence period to 72 hours from the existing 48 hours for the remaining three phases of the West Bengal assembly elections. The EC also ordered that no campaigning would be allowed in the state between 7pm and 10am on campaign day, due to the risks posed by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Election Commission increases silence period for upcoming three phases of West Bengal Assembly elections to 72 hours. (Representational image)

“In view of unprecedented public health situation and the imperative of ongoing elections, the commission today (Friday) 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 press release said.

In its directions to political parties campaigning in the state, the EC warned of legal actions against any violations of the Covid-19 guidelines by candidates and parties and said it would be “sternly dealt with.”

The poll body asked the organisers of election rallies to provide masks and hand sanitisers to the attendees and also ensure the proper usage of them, along with following social distancing norms. It also mentioned that the cost for this would be borne by the organiser and should be within the limits of the prescribed expenditure.

To further ensure safety, the EC also directed star campaigners, political leaders, candidates and aspiring policymakers to “demonstrate by their personal example” and insist the participants in the rallies and meetings to wear masks, use sanitisers and maintain social distancing norms. “District Election Officers and Returning Officers shall take strict measures to enforce Covid guidelines during campaign. They shall cancel public meetings, rallies, etc. if any violations are observed, in addition to invoking penal sections. Special Observers and General, Police and Expenditure Observers shall strictly monitor compliance of covid norms during the campaign,” the ECI said.

Earlier in the day, in an all-party meeting called by the EC, the ruling Trinamool Congress party requested to club the remaining three phases of the election into one, state minister Partha Chatterjee said. “They have listened to our arguments and we hope they will take appropriate action to prevent Covid-19. Equal opportunities should be given for the purpose of publicity but clubbing of all phases in one day will not prevent that,” news agency ANI quoted Chatterjee as saying.

West Bengal reported 6,910 new Covid-19 cases and 26 fatalities in the last 24 hours, a bulletin from the state health department showed. Four phases of the state assembly elections have concluded with four more phases left for 159 out of the 294 assembly constituencies in the state.