EC bans bike rally before polls; Decision taken keeping anti-social elements in mind

In a notice issued by Election Comission of India, bike rallies have been barred at any place 72 hours before date of poll. The same came after it was reported that antisocial elements were using the vehicle to intimidate voters.

Sending out the letter to chief electoral officer of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Sanjeev Kumar Prasad, under secretary wrote, “It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that in some places bikes are used by some antisocial elements to intimidate the voters before the Poll day and/or on Poll day.”

“The Commission has considered the above issue and has decided that Bike Rallies shall not be allowed at any place 72 hours before date of poll or on the Poll day in all poll going constituencies,” the notice further mentioned.

It ended with his quote, “This is in supersession of all instructions issued from time to time-related to the matter mentioned above. Kindly inform all concerned stakeholders including candidates/political parties and Commission’s Observers for strict compliance.”