Picture : Twitter / ANI
The Madras high court came down hard on the Election Commission and called it the “the most irresponsible institution” for the alleged spread of the second wave of Covid-19 in the country. In stinging remarks, the court said EC officials may be booked under murder charges too.
The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy made the observation on a public interest writ, seeking for a direction to authorities to ensure fair counting of votes on May 2 in Karur by taking effective steps and proper arrangements with Covid-19 protocols.
While hearing a case, Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee slammed Election Commission of India for not stopping political parties from holding election rallies. He says it is the only institution singularly responsible for the second wave.
Since as many as 77 candidates are contesting in the Karur constituency, it would be very difficult to accommodate their agents in the counting hall. It may affect observance of the protocols, the petitioner alleged.
When the counsel for the EC told the judges that all necessary steps were underway, the bench retorted that by allowing the political parties to take out rallies and meetings, it had paved the way for the resurgence of the
second wave of Covid-19.
Chief Justice Banerjee also warned that the court will stop counting of votes on May 2nd if a blueprint to follow COVID-19 protocol is not put in.
