EC bans bike rallies 27 hours before and on voting day in poll-bound states

The EC also asked its chief electoral officers to inform all stakeholders concerned to ensure strict compliance of the directions

The Election Commission on Monday banned bike rallies 72 hours before polling date and on the polling day in all states which will witness Assembly elections and bypolls, amid complaints that "anti-social elements" use motor bikes to intimidate voters.

"It had been brought to the notice of the Commission that in some places bikes are used by some anti-social elements to intimidate the voters before the poll day and/or poll day," the EC said in a letter to chief electoral officers of poll-bound West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry.

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The Commission said it has considered the reports 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 EC also asked its chief electoral officers to inform all stakeholders concerned, including candidates, political parties and the Commission's observers, to ensure strict compliance of the directions.

Elections to the five states will begin on March 27 and the counting of votes will take place on May 2.