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New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra on Saturday said no rallies, pad yatra or roadshows will be held in the poll bound states till January 15 in view of Covid situation, as he announced dates for elections in five states, setting in force the Model Code of Conduct.

“No physical rally of political parties or probable candidates or any other group related to elections will be allowed till January 15. ECI should subsequently review the situation and issue further instructions accordingly,” Chandra said.

A campaign curfew between 2000 hours and 0800 hours throughout election process will also be enforced.

“Candidates are advised to conduct their campaign via digital or virtual mode and not physical mode,” the CEC said.

He also said as and when physical rallies are allowed, Covid protocols will have to be adhered to strictly, and maximum limit of persons allowed for Indoor and outdoor rallies will be as per existing direction of respective SDMAs. rallies and meeting will be allowed only in earmarked places and with prior permissions of district administration.

Political parties are also supposed to distribute masks and sanitizers to persons attending the rallies at entry and exit point. Rallies and meeting will be allowed only in earmarked places with prior permissions of district administration.

As the polls were announced in the backdrop of rising cases of Omicron, Chandra said the decision was taken after extensive consultations, including deliberations with the Health Secretary, health experts, and the Home Secretary.

Covid protocols are to be strictly adhered to and the number of polling booths and time for casting the vote has also been increased while restricting the maximum number of voters in every booth.

Candidates can fill their nomination forms online, and they can also fill their affidavits online. A physical copy of the nomination form will have to be submitted to the returning officer however. Security money deposit can also be done online, the Election Commission said.

At polling stations, temperature screening would be done, and masks and sanitizer will also be provided. The officials on polling duty will be double vaccinated, and will also be given a booster dose being frontline workers. Chandra also said that chief secretaries of all poll bound states have been advised to accelerate vaccination.