New Delhi, March 10 : Election Commission of India on Thursday decided to withdraw the blanket ban on victory processions in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The decision has been taken viewing the current status of Covid-19 in the poll going states, the ECI said in a statement. While announcing, elections to the Legislative Assemblies of these states on January 8, the Commission also issued revised broad guidelines to regulate various aspects of elections including victory processions during the period of Covid. As the Covid situation improved, the Commission gradually relaxed the norms concerning electioneering in consultation with on Health Ministry and State Governments. “Viewing the current status of COVID-19 in these poll going states, Commission has decided to relax the guidelines on victory processions during and after the counting and has withdrawn the blanket ban on victory processions,” it further said. “This relaxation, however, will be subject to existing instructions of State Disaster Management Authorities and preventive measures, imposed by concerned district authorities,” the Commission added. According to the latest trends, BJP is leading in Goa, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party is set to form its first government outside Delhi. ASU JNA
