Election Commission moves SC against Madras HC’s ‘murder’ remarks

The Election Commission on Saturday approached the Supreme Court against Madras High Court’s criticism on handling the COVID-19 protocols during the poll campaigns, reports ANI. The poll body has called the HC’s remarks “uncalled for, blatantly disparaging and derogatory”.

Calling EC the most “irresponsible institution”, HC had said that they should be booked for murder for the lax in COVID protocols during the election campaign in recent months, which is feared to have led to a spike in cases.

The Election Commission’s plea is to be heard by the apex court on May 3 before a bench including Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah. 

Madras High Court had criticised the Election Commission’s decision for holding elections while the country is battling against the second wave of coronavirus. 

The two-judge bench also warned the Commission that they will not hesitate from stopping the vote count on May 2. 

Also read: Enforcing COVID norms is a responsibility of the state authorities: EC

During the proceedings on Monday, the HC bench also called out EC for allowing the parties to take out rallies and meetings which went against the COVID-19 protocols of maintaining social distancing. 

On April 3, thousands of people gathered for Prime Minister Narender Modi’s rally in poll-bound West Bengal. On the same date, India had recorded 90,000 new cases, the highest single-day spike in over six months.