Money9 Impact | New Election Commission diktat for parties a necessary step
Money9 in its editorial had pointed out the need for the poll body to act tough and ban public meetings.
The Election Commission’s decision to extend the silence period from 48 hours to 72 hours and ban public rallies from 7 pm to 10 am is a step in the right direction as the country is grappling with the rising number of Covid-19 cases.
With the enthusiastic supporters of political parties and their leaders not wearing masks or adhering to social distancing norms, the move is expected to prevent the COVID situation from spiralling out of control.
Money9 in its editorial yesterday had pointed out the need for the poll body to act tough and ban public meetings.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) must be lauded for taking the first step by announcing cancellation of all public meetings and roadshows to arrest the rise in COVID-19 cases. Though West Bengal is passing through a high-stake electoral battle and is only half way through it, the party did not hesitate to put a complete stop to gatherings and focus on other forms of campaigning.
Today’s development is a welcome step and political parties must now also show some reverence for the general public by not holding any large gatherings.
Elections come and go. Political parties must realise that the COVID threat has become more dangerous and complacency can ruin the prospects of this nation.