Madras HC slams ECI over violation of COVID norms in election rallies

NEW DELHI: Citing Election Commission of India (ECI) responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Madras high court today ruled ECI should be charged with murder for being 'the most irresponsible institution in recent months in failing to prevent political parties from violating the COVID-19 protocol during election rallies."

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamo said, “You (ECI) are the only institution responsible for the current situation that we are facing today. You've been completely devoid of any kind of authority exercise. Despite every order of this court saying ‘maintain Covid protocol, maintain Covid protocol,' you have not taken any action against political parties holding rallies.”

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“Now we assure you that we will stop counting if we do not find a roadmap on how proper COVID protocol management will be sustained before May 2 so that this state does not succumb to your idiosyncrasies any longer,” the court added.

The high court has ordered the Election Commission to consult with the State Health Secretary and record a schedule to implement the COVID-19 protocol on the votes counting day by April 30.

"The importance of public health is paramount, and it is disheartening that constitutional authorities must be reminded of this. A man can only enjoy the rights that a democratic republic grants if he survives,” Chief Justice Banerjee told the ECI.

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