new Delhi: Citing a drop in COVID-19 cases, the Election Commission on Sunday reinstated the number of star campaigners that a party can field in the five-state elections. Now recognized national and state level parties can field a maximum of 40 star campaigners. Other parties that are registered but not recognized can now field 20 star campaigners for promotion.
The commission had in October 2020 reduced the number of star campaigners for recognized national and state level parties from 40 to 30, as the Bihar Assembly elections and by-elections in several states witnessed huge crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic. .
With decrease in COVID19 cases, ECI decides to restore maximum limit on number of star campaigners with immediate effect- 40 for national/state parties, 20 for other than recognized parties. List of additional star campaigners can be submitted to ECI latest by 5pm on Feb 23 pic.twitter.com/WwkC7x4vkC
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2022
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In a letter to political parties, the commission said, “The number of patients and new cases under treatment of COVID-19 is decreasing and the restrictions imposed by the central government and state governments to contain the spread of the epidemic are being gradually removed.” It has been…the Election Commission after due deliberation has decided to restore the ceiling on the number of star campaigners.”
The letter said that now the maximum limit for the number of star campaigners for recognized national and state level political parties will be “40 and for other than recognized political parties it will be 20”. It said that the list of additional star campaigners for both phases of Manipur assembly elections, phases 5, 6 and 7 of Uttar Pradesh elections and by-elections to Majuli assembly seat in Assam shall be sent to the Election Commission or the concerned Chief Electoral Officer on the evening of February 23. Can be handed over by noon.