New Delhi: In the wake of a Covid-19 surge, the Election Commission of India has banned all victory processions on the day of counting of v...
New Delhi: In the wake of a Covid-19 surge, the Election Commission of India has banned all victory processions on the day of counting of votes (May 2) for all the five states which have gone to the polls since March 27 till April 29 namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry.
"Not more than two
persons shall be allowed to accompany the winning candidate or his/her
authorised representative receive the certificate of election from the
Returning Officer concerned," an Election Commission notification said on
Tuesday.
The
poll panel had laid down a list of Covid-19 protocols for the contesting
parties and leaders to follow to minimise the spread of infections. These rules
were largely ignored with huge rallies and gatherings along with road shows
sending social distancing for a toss.
Accusing
the election body of a "wanton disregard" and "silence"
over political campaigns that breached Covid rules, a Madras High Court order
on Monday said that "at no cost can counting become a catalyst for a
further surge".
The
court told the EC: "Your institution is singularly responsible for the
second wave of Covid-19. Your officers should be booked on murder charges
probably...Were you on another planet when the election rallies were
held?"
It also sought a plan to enforce Covid-19 rules on May 2, the day
of the results, by Friday. Otherwise the counting could also be stopped, the
High Court said.
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