Team Herald
PANJIM: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has clarified to the political parties in Goa that indoor meetings with maximum of 50 persons or 50 per cent of the seating capacity or whichever is less as per the directions issued by State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) will be permitted.
CEO also informed ban on road shows, pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies, political rallies and processions till January 22.
The political parties were confused after the Election Commission of India (ECI), on Saturday granted relaxation to the extent that indoor meetings of maximum of 300 persons or 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA will be allowed.
During a meeting with CEO Kunal, the representatives from political parties sought clarification on ECI directions dated January 15 with regards to campaigning. They pointed out that in view of rising COVID-19 cases, SDMA has restricted indoor gathering to only 50 people, whereas ECI has granted relaxation up to 300 persons.
“CEO clarified that SDMA guidelines will be applicable in Goa wherein only 50 persons will be allowed to attend indoor political meetings,” said Goa Forward Party (GFP) vice president Durgadas Kamat.
“Door-to-door campaign will be with maximum five people only as per ECI directions,” added Kamat.
Kamat informed that CEO will hold weekly review meeting with political parties to update on ECI guidelines and also to understand ground situation.
GFP has brought to the notice of CEO how officers, attached to flying squads, are working under political pressure thus failing to act against poll violation complaints.
During the meeting, Congress party also sought for single-window clearance facility to seek permission for displaying hoardings or banners. Goa Congress General Secretary Altinho Gomes said that he has urged CEO to grant powers to the district collectors for granting permissions.
