EC orders Candidates and political parties shall ensure absolute adherence to covid guidelines in letter and spirit

The Election Commission has ordered that Candidates and political parties shall ensure absolute adherence to covid guidelines in letter and spirit. In its letter to all political parties, the Commission said, violations will be sternly dealt with and action including criminal action will be taken as per extant legal framework. The Poll body said, it shall be responsibility of the organizers of public meetings, rallies etc to provide masks and sanitizers to every person attending these meetings at their cost which shall be added and counted within limits of prescribed expenditure. Organizers will ensure proper usage of masks and will be responsible for maintaining minimum social distancing. The Commission said, star campaigners, political leaders, candidates will demonstrate by their personal example ad nudge all supporters in the beginning of rally and meeting to wear masks, use sanitizers and maintain social distancing. District Election Officers and Returning Officers will take strict measures to ensure covid guidelines during campaign. They shall cancel public meetings or rallies if any violations are observed in addition to invoking penal sections. The Election Commission said, Special Observers, General, Police and Expenditure observers will strictly monitor compliance of covid norms during campaign. It said, West Bengal Chief Secretary, Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officers and Returning Officers of the remaining three phases will ensure strict compliance of the order and enforcement of extant guidelines.