EC Lifts Ban On Victory Processions On Election Results Day In 5 States

Mumbai: Election Commission has lifted the ban on victory processions during the counting of votes and declaration of results in five states – Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

In a statement, the Election Commission said that keeping in view the current situation of COVID-19 in these states, it “decided to relax the guidelines on victory procedures during and after the counting and has withdrawn the blanket ban on victory procession”.

Announcing the election schedule for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab, the Election Commission had issued guidelines to regulate various aspects of elections, including the procedures for winning elections amid the pandemic.

“As the COVID situation improves during the election period, the Commission, in consultation with the Union Health Ministry and state governments, has gradually relaxed the election rules,” the statement said.

This relaxation will be subject to the extant instructions of the State Disaster Management Officers and preventive measures put in place by the concerned district authorities.

The development came hours after counting began for assembly elections.

Aam Aadmi Party registered a landslide victory in Punjab while the Bharatiya Janata Party won decisive mandates in at least three states—Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, and Uttarakhand—and looks set to emerge as the single largest party in Goa.

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