Coronavirus | EC imposes more restrictions in West Bengal poll campaign

Silence period before voting extended from 48 to 72 hours

The Election Commission on Friday ordered curbs on campaigning for the last three phases of the West Bengal election, including extending the silence period before voting from 48 to 72 hours and barring all campaigning from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m., in view of the rising COVID-19 cases. The EC said it observed violations of its August 2020 guidelines during the ongoing Assembly polls and warned parties that it wouldn’t hesitate in banning such events if it continued. “... the Commission has noted several instances of election meetings and campaigns wherein norms of social distancing, wearing of masks etc. have been flouted in blatant disregard of the Commission’s aforesaid guidelines ... in view of unprecedented public health concerns, the Commission is of considered view that the period of campaign for the remaining phases [phase 6, phase 7 and phase 8] of the elections in the State of West Bengal needs to be curtailed in larger public interest,” the order said.