The Election Commission of India has banned all victory processions on the day of -- or even after -- counting of votes (May 2) polled to the five states in the past few weeks amid a COVID-19 surge. Legislative assembly polls were scheduled in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry in eight phases, beginning March 27 and ending April 29.
"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 today.
Coming amid a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic,
the poll panel had laid down protocol for the contesting parties and leaders to
follow to minimise the spread of infections. The rules were, however, mostly
observed only in the breach by most political outfits and their contestants,
with huge rallies and marches sending social distancing for a toss.
The second wave has, meanwhile, intensified in its
ferocity, making way for suggestions that the elections have turned into Covid
catalysts. For the sixth straight day today, India logged over three lakh cases
and 2,771 deaths, taking its overall caseload to over 1.76 crore and fatalities
to 1,97,894.
Accusing the election body of a "wanton
disregard" and "silence" over political campaigns that breached
the Covid rules, a Madras High Court order yesterday said
that "at no cost can counting become a catalyst for a further surge".
Earlier in the day yesterday, during arguments, the
court told the Election Commission: "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?"
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also sought a plan to enforce Covid rules on May 2 -- the day of the results --
by Friday. Without it, the counting could also be stopped, said the High Court.
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