Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, the Election Commission of India on Saturday extended the ban on physical rallies and roadshows till January 31. But the EC has enhanced the limit of persons for door-to-door campaign from five to 10 persons. Meanwhile, the commission has permitted video vans for publicity at designated open spaces with Covid-19 restrictions.

The decision came after the ECI held a meeting earlier in the day with the Union Health Secretary and the Chief Health Secretaries of the five poll-bound states to review the ban on holding physical roadshows and rallies by political parties ahead of Assembly elections.