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EC responsible for second COVID wave, counting could be stopped: Madras HC

Madras HC asked officials to submit blueprint on COVID-19 protocol during counting

Madras High Court | PTI Madras High Court | PTI

After the Calcutta High Court, the Madras High Court has now lashed out at the Election Commission over the conduct of Assembly polls amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee on Monday came down heavily on Election Commission of India for not stopping political parties from conducting election rallies during the Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu. Banerjee said the Election Commission is the only institution singularly responsible for the second wave of coronavirus. Banerjee made the remarks while hearing a plea from state Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar who sought that COVID-19 protocol be followed during counting of votes in his constituency, Karur.

Banerjee said the Election Commission officials could probably be booked for murder charges. The chief justice also warned that the court would stop counting of votes on May 2 if a blueprint to follow the COVID-19 protocol is not followed by the Election Commission. He said that ECI had not ensured following of COVID-19 protocol during campaigning despite court orders.

“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,” Banerjee said.

"The situation now is of survival and protection. Everything else comes next," the chief justice said.

The chief justice also directed the Election Commission and Tamil Nadu chief electoral officer to hold consultations with the health secretary and come up with a complete standard operating procedure on following COVID-19 protocol during counting of votes. He asked them to submit the blueprint in court on April 30.

(With inputs from Lakshmi Subramanian)

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