Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC) of Odisha has relaxed the restrictions imposed on the door-to-door campaign and public meetings by candidates contesting the ensuing panchayat polls.
The number of persons allowed for the door-to-door campaign has been increased to 20 and outdoor meetings have been allowed with a cap of 300 persons, informed State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi.
People attending the outdoor meetings have to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as wearing of masks and maintaining social distance, he added.
Earlier, all candidates contesting the panchayat polls in Odisha had been allowed only virtual campaigns or door-to-door campaigns with not more than five persons. Roadshows, cycle rallies, padayatra, or public meetings had been restricted.
Meanwhile, 80 to 90 percent of polling staff have received the precautionary dose and the training of polling personnel has been completed in most districts. Rest formalities will be completed in a day or two, added Padhi.
