Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The District Magistrate North Goa has imposed additional restrictions on public gatherings, physical rallies, roadshows etc. to prevent further spread of Covid-19 and has directed that the following activities/events shall be restricted till further orders, i.e. No roadshow, pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and procession shall be allowed until further orders.
Outdoor meetings / indoor meetings/rallies will be allowed subject to the condition that the number of persons attending the indoor/outdoor meetings/rallies will be limited to a maximum of 50 per cent of the capacity of Indoor halls and 30 per cent of the open ground capacity as per the requirement of the social distancing norms and whichever is less.
Door-to-Door campaigning shall be allowed for a maximum of 20 (twenty), including candidates. (excluding security personnel).
Between 8pm and 8 am, no rallies and public meetings shall be allowed on any campaign day. Open ground rallies can be held only on the grounds specifically designated by this office through the e-Suvidha portal subject to compliance of all the conditions of SDMA. Political parties and contesting candidates shall ensure the compliance of COVID appropriate behaviour and guidelines and the Model Code of Conduct at all occasions during the activities connected with the election.
The District Magistrate further mentioned that the organizers shall ensure that there should be multiple entry and exit points so that there is no crowding as people come and leave the venue. All entrances must have adequate hygiene and thermal screening provisions. An adequate number of hand sanitizers should be kept at the entrance and within the rally area. Sitting arrangements must ensure adequate physical distancing, and mask use at all times is mandatory.
Adequate manpower should be deployed /arranged by the organizers to ensure observance to physical distancing norms, mask-wearing and other preventive measures at all times. In designated open ground meetings, people should be accommodated in adequate clusters, and such clusters should be separated by separation arrangements. The organizers will ensure this arrangement, and Nodal Officers will ensure compliance.
The organizers and concerned political parties shall abide by all the above instructions and SDMA related guidelines and ensure COVID appropriate behaviour by persons participating in meetings – rallies. Organizers will be responsible for any breach of the COVID related protocols and guidelines.
While granting the permission, the concerned SDM/RO shall appoint a Nodal Officer to oversee the arrangements done by organizers, and the Sub Divisional Police Officer concerned in North Goa shall ensure the compliance of instructions and COVID appropriate behaviour guidelines.
All remaining restrictions as contained in the Revised Broad Guidelines for Conduct of Election 2022, issued on 8th January shall continue. If the candidate or political party violates any of the above guidelines, no further permission shall be given to the concerned candidate/party for rallies, meetings, etc.
The Returning Officers / Assistant Returning Officers, Flying Squads, Sector Magistrates / Officer, Police or any other authorized Officers / Officials shall act immediately in case any violation comes to their notice or reported to them and initiate necessary action against the violator by filing FIR under appropriate section before the respective police station.
This Order shall come into force with immediate effect, failure to comply with this Order shall be liable for Penal action under Section 188 of Indian Penal and other provisions of laws in force.
This Order Supersedes the earlier Order issued by this office vide No.40/16/2022-MAG-ELN/L & O/Rally/270 dated 31/01/2022 .
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