In view of the improvement in COVID-19 situation in the country the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced that the ban on campaign timings will be between 10 pm to 6 am instead of the earlier 8 pm to 8 am before. Political parties or candidates can campaign from 6 am to 10 pm following all Covid appropriate behaviour and protocols of SDMA, the ECI said in a statement.

Taking note of the substantial reduction in COVID-19 cases in the country as well as in the poll-bound states and the need of political parties and candidates for greater participation in elections, the commission has further relaxed the provisions of campaigning, the ECI stated.

"As per information received from the Union Health Secretary the ground situation of COVID-19 has significantly improved and the cases are fast receding in the country. Even in the reported cases maximum cases are reported from non-poll going states. The poll-bound states are contributing a very small proportion of the total reported cases in the country," the ECI said in its statement.

The ECI informed that political parties or candidates can hold their meetings and rallies up to maximum of 50 per cent of the capacity of the designated open spaces or the limit prescribed by SDMA, whichever is lesser.

Padyatra consisting not more than permitted number of persons as per SDMA limitations and only with prior permission of district authorities will also be allowed, it added.

On Saturday, the commission took a periodic review of the status of COVID in the country, specially in poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa.