New Delhi: The Election Commission banned ”bike rallies” 72 hours before the date of polling and on the polling day on Monday. The order is effective in all election-going constituencies. The order came after there were reports that “anti-social elements” were using motor bikes to intimidate voters.

A directive has been issued to the chief electoral officers of West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry which are set to hold Assembly Elections in the month of March. The directive points out that it has been brought to EC’s notice that “in some places bikes are used by anti-social elements to intimidate the voters before the poll day and/or on poll day.”

Due to such reports, the Commission came to the decision 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 the chief electoral officers to inform all the people concerned, including candidates, political parties and the Commission”s observers, to ensure strict compliance of the directions.

Elections for the five assemblies begin on 27th March and the results will come out on 2nd May.