In view of rising cases of COVID-19, Election Commission has curtailed the campaign timing for the remaining three phases of West Bengal assembly elections. It has extended the silence period from 48 hours to 72 hours. The Commission has also banned campaigning from 7 PM to 10 AM. The poll body in its order has taken a serious view against the repeated violations of Covid-19 norms by political leaders, campaigners and candidates.
Meanwhile, nearly 7 thousand new covid cases have been reported in West Bengal, the day before the fifth phase of assembly elections. Total cases of Covid rose to 6 lakh 36 thousand 885 and 26 people have lost their lives due to Covid in the past 24 hours in the state. The state government has decided to increase the number of beds for Covid patients by 20percent in government and 25percent in private hospitals.
