Election Commission relaxes poll curbs further, allows more star campaigners

NEW DELHI: Announcing more relaxations in its Covid-19 guidelines, the Election Commission on Sunday raised the maximum limit for star campaigners to 40 from 30 for recognised national and state parties and to 20 from 15 for the rest of them.

The poll panel has given political parties time until 5pm on February 23 to submit the names of their additional star campaigners. This means that the new star campaigners can join electioneering from the fifth phase onwards, as campaigning for the fourth phase ends on Monday.

The latest relaxation in Co-vid curbs comes against the backdrop of receding numbers of both active and new Covid-10 cases, particularly in UP where polling is mid-way and Manipur where it is yet to begin. Also, the restrictions put in place in the wake of outbreak of third wave are being lifted in a phased manner.