As India continues to report a record quantity of COVID-19 circumstances, deaths and a shortage of beds as nicely as Oxygen, the Madras High Court yesterday came down really hard on the Election Commission for holding polls in the midst of such a grave crisis. The HC rapped the EC and held the institution singularly accountable for the COVID-19 spread. The court known as it the “most irresponsible institution” saying that its officials could be booked on murder charges.
A bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy noted that the EC enabling political parties to hold public rallies had led to the speedy spread of the pandemic.
The bench made the observations whilst hearing a public interest writ filed by Karur AIADMK candidate and Transport Minister M R Vijayabaskar who sought the court’s path to EC to make sure fair vote-counting in Karur on May 2 by taking efficient actions and suitable arrangements following COVID-19 protocols. Vijayabaskar had alleged that due to the fact there are 77 candidates from the Karur constituency, it would be complicated to accommodate their agents in the counting hall.
The court was irked when the EC’s counsel submitted in the court that all needed actions are getting undertaken. The bench shot back saying that by enabling the political parties to hold rallies, the Commission had paved the way for the resurgence of the second COVID-19 wave.
The judges verbally warned that they would not hesitate to quit the counting of votes on May 2. The judges observed that public overall health is of paramount significance and it is distressing that constitutional authorities have to be reminded in such regard.
The court asked the EC to file a detailed report by April 30 on the blueprint of the Covid-19 protocol to be followed on the counting day. It asked the EC to seek advice from the state Health Department whilst preparing the blueprint.
The assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry have been held on April 6 whilst Assam voted in 3 phases and Bengal is voting in an eight-phase election.