Today, a consitutional body probably for the first time had to face the flak of judiciary for being casual about election rallies which increased the risk of spread of the pandemic.

The entire world observed as BJP went ahead with rallies despite the second wave of Covid19. The Congress was the first to cancel its rallies in poll-bound states. Talks about possible nexus between BJP and the election commission were doing rounds across various discussion platforms and among the public. But, today election commission had to face the wrath of Madras high court in the context of allowing rallies in the middle of pandemic.

On Monday, the Madras High Court slammed the Election Commission of India for allowing political rallies amid a deadly second wave of Covid-19.

The Election Commission is singularly responsible for the second wave of Covid-19 by not stopping political parties from holding election rallies, Madras HC Chief Justice Sanjib Bannerjee said on Monday as he reprimanded the poll body.

The Madras HC also observed that the officials of Election Commission of India should be booked for murder.

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The High Court observed, “Your institution is singularly responsible for the second wave of Covid-19. Election Commission officers should be booked on murder charges probably.”

The Madras HC further went on to warn that it will stop counting on May 2 if the Election Commission does not put in place a proper plan to ensure that the Covid-19 protocol is followed.

The court also said that the public health is of paramount importance and that it was distressing to see that constitutional authorities have to be reminded of it.

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The Chief Justice Banerjee said, “Public health is of paramount importance and it is distressing that constitutional authorities have to be reminded in such regard. It is only when a citizen survives that he will be able to enjoy the rights that a democratic republic guarantees.”

The Chief Justice of Madras High Court further added, “The situation now is of survival and protection. Everything else comes next.”

“Were you on another planet when the election rallies were held?” the Chief Justice of Madras High Court asked ECI when its counsel said measures were taken to curb the spread of Covid-19.

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The Madras High Court has directed the Election Commission of India and Tamil Nadu Chief Election Officer to consult with the Health Secretary and draft a Covid-19 protocol for the counting day and submit the same on April 30.