In Chennai on Monday, the Madras High Court lashed out against the Election Commission of India (EC) and said, “It is the most irresponsible institution in the country” as the EC have done nothing to prevent political parties from breaching Covid-19 protocol.
The 1st bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, was hearing a plea moved by state Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskhar said, ‘You (Election Commission) are the only institution responsible for the situation we are in today and You have been singularly lacking any kind of exercise of authority.
You have not taken measures against political parties holding rallies despite the court saying’. Maintain Covid protocol, maintain Covid protocol.”
The court observed: “We assure you that we will stop counting if we do not find before 2nd May a blueprint on how proper maintenance of Covid protocol is assured so that this state does not succumb to the idiosyncrasies any further.”
The Chief Justice further observed that Public health is of paramount importance and that it was distressing to remind constitutional authorities on the counting and possibilities of a further surge after 2nd May.
The petitioned by the Tamil Nadu state transport minister was seeking direction to the Election Commission, to follow a slew of measures in ensuring fairness during the counting of votes on 2nd May for Karur constituency where he had contested the elections as an AIADMK candidate.
There were total 77 candidates in fray at Karur constituency.
