The home ministry yesterday said easing of the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) would also apply to the other city corporation and municipalities if schedules are declared for polls there during the state of emergency.
In a press release it sought to clear up ‘misunderstandings’ over the notification it issued Friday relaxing the EPR to allow processions and rallies in areas going to polls.
The same day the Election Commission (EC) announced election schedules for four city corporations and nine municipalities. Polls to the 13 local government bodies will be held on August 4.
The release said some newspapers on June 22 carried ‘misleading’ reports on relaxation of the emergency rules.
The reports in question described the notification as confusing for not specifying a time frame for the loosened state of emergency, it added.
While some said the relaxation would cease to be in force the moment electioneering would be prohibited as per the electoral rules, others suggested that it is for an indefinite period.
The release firmly stated that because of Friday’s notification, election rules promulgated by the EC would apply the way they do under normal circumstances, and it obviates the need for mentioning a time frame.
According to provisions of the election rules, organising or joining a rally or procession in election area is prohibited for 32 hours preceding the start of voting, the period between 8:00am and midnight of the election day, and then for the following 48 hours.
The home ministry also said it cannot relax the restrictions that the electoral rules impose on processions and rallies.
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