Elections in five states of India from February 10

As the third wave of Covid sweeps in India, driven by Omicron, the election commission announces dates for Assembly elections in India's five states - Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. These five states will vote over seven phases starting February 10, with counting of votes scheduled for March 10.
This means a total of 690 Assembly constituencies will vote over the next two months, with the maximum in UP (403 seats) followed by Punjab (117), Uttarakhand (70), Manipur (60) and Goa (40). Concern over the virus spreading had further increased after political parties held mega rallies in poll-bound states. These rallies are attended by thousands (many without face masks) and social distancing is entirely absent for such events, which are understandably difficult to control. To ensure safety, the Commission barred physical rallies and meetings till January 15, saying a review will be taken after that since the "ground situation is dynamic".
 Officials are also discussing other measures, including extending voting times by an hour and setting up extra polling booths in UP - India's most populous state - to ensure social distancing.
Meanwhile, with the Election Commission of India banning political rallies, nukkad meetings, roadshows till January 15 in election-bound states, the Congress has once again deferred its rally that was to be addressed by AICC leader Rahul Gandhi on January 15 at Moga.
In a major decision, it is also declared that the Covid vaccination certificates issued in the five poll-bound states will not have Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo since the model code of conduct has come into force there. The Union Health Ministry has applied necessary filters, soon after the poll schedule was announced,  on the Co-WIN platform to exclude Modi’s photo from the vaccine certificate.