No Victory Procession After Election Results on May 2: Election Commission of India

GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India issued broad guidelines to Conduct the General Election/Bye-Election during COVID-19 after receiving views/suggestions of National/State Political Parties.

Further, the Commission has fixed counting of votes for General Election to Legislative Assemblies of West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry along with Bye-Elections in various states on 02.05.2021.

In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the country, the Commission has decided to make more stringent provision to be followed during the process of Counting, in addition to exiting Broad Guidelines dated 21st August 2020, and has directed that

a. No victory procession after the counting on 2.5.2021 shall be permissible.

b. Not more than two persons shall be allowed to accompany the winning candidate or his/her authorized representative to receive the certificate of election from the Returning Officer concerned.

The Commission has further considered the views/suggestions received from various Chief Electoral Officers of States/UTs on the election campaigns and public meetings. 

On the other hand, the Madras High Court on Monday has down heavily on the Election Commission and said that would stop the counting of votes on May 2 (Sunday) if a "blueprint" is not in place. The Court accused the Election Commission of being single-handedly responsible for the second wave of COVID-19 as it allowed political parties to organize the election roadshows and campaigns.

"Your institution is singularly responsible for the second wave of COVID-19. Your officers should be booked on murder charges probably," the Madras High Court told the Election Commission.

The court stated that the election body had failed to enforce COVID safety rules like masks, sanitizers, and social distancing during campaigning despite court orders. The court also asked for 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. "Public health is paramount. Distressing that constitutional authorities ought to be reminded. It is only when a citizen survives that he'll be able to enjoy the rights that a democratic republic guarantees," the court added.

Also Read: Madras High Court Rips Through Election Commission, Says EC Responsible for COVID Surge

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