Thiruvananthapuram, June 9 (UNI) In view of rising COVID cases, the Election Commission of India has been urged to ban mass campaigning related to the Nilambur bypoll in Kerala.

In a letter to Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of the Mahatma Gandhi National Foundation, Eby J. Jose said, "The country is witnessing a rapid rise in COVID cases, and 5,755 people tested positive in the last 24 hours. Out of these, more than 2000 people have been found in Kerala alone, and a person also died."

Hence, an immediate ban on mass campaigning and meetings related to the Nilambur bypoll could stop further spreading of the virus, he pointed out.

A strict instruction should be issued immediately to campaign only through social media and over the phone, he said.

It is brought to your attention that mass campaigning is not necessary in the context of widespread propaganda by the press, TV channels and online media, he added.

UNI DS ARN