The Election Commission on Wednesday took a serious view of “utter violation” of social distancing norms during poll campaigning and leaders addressing public meetings without wearing masks in complete disregard of its guidelines.

In an advisory issued to presidents and general secretaries of all recognised national and state parties, the poll panel said chief electoral officers and the district machinery would be expected to invoke appropriate and relevant penal provisions against candidates concerned as well as organisers responsible for such violations.

Separate instructions for strict compliance of guidelines are being issued to chief electoral officers and governments of poll-bound states, it said.

“It has come to the notice of the commission instances of such public meetings where large crowds assembled in utter violation of social distancing, and the political leaders and campaigners addressing the gatherings without wearing masks in complete disregard of the guidelines and instructions issued by the Election Commission,” the poll panel said.

By not following the norms, the political parties and candidates are not only flouting its guidelines “with impunity but exposing themselves as well as the public attending the rallies or meetings to the danger of infection during the pandemic”, the poll panel said.

As the most important stakeholders in the electoral process, the parties are duty-bound to observe the norms determined by the commission for electioneering, it noted. Non-compliance of instructions during the period of public interface will attract actions as per provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides invocation of the provisions of the IPC and other legal provisions, the EC warned.