COVID-19: Take A Proactive Stand On Counting Day,No Rallies, Bursting Of Crackers On Counting Day: Madras High Court To Political Parties

Taking up its own-motion petition relating to monitoring the COVID-19 response in the state of Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court on Friday (April 30) asked the leaders of political parties to ensure that the rank and file maintain a degree of discipline and exercise extreme restraint whether in celebration or otherwise. 

The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy also expressed its hope that political parties, media personnel, and citizens at large adhere to the COVID instructions and the guidelines of the Election Commission and follow all the norms.

Earlier, during the course of the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General R Shankaranarayan sought to assert that the Centre had taken all necessary steps to face the Covid-19 situation. Read more details about the hearing here.

Post Mortem Of Union's Stance On Covid Readiness And EC's Sensationalism Concerns May Have To Wait: Madras HC In Suo Motu Covid Case

The Court also perused the reports filed both by the Union and the State as to the measures adopted to deal with the unexpected surge in infections and matters pertaining thereto and hoped that the picture becomes clearer by May 3, 2021 and the specific quantities of the drug and doses of vaccine to be released are indicated to the State, so that the State may plan out its course of action over the next week or so.

Importantly, the Court observed that two aspects cannot be missed:

• Union's endeavour to indicate that the surge in numbers may have been unexpected and that preparatory measures had been taken for quite some time, and
• Election Commission's concern at sensationalism. The post-mortem on either count may have to wait, particularly in the light of the immediate measures that may be put in place.

The concern regarding vote counting day

Noting that the role of the political parties cannot be overemphasized, the Court remarked,

"The leaders of political parties should keep the supporters in check, ensure that there is no bursting of crackers or taking out of rallies, particularly on the day of counting and till such time that the present grim situation continues. The leaders of political parties are requested to take a pro-active stand in such regard and lead by example."

Situation in Puducherry

The Court perused the status report received from Puducherry indicating quite an alarming surge, however, the Court noted that measures now having been put in place which ought to be strictly implemented.

The Court further remarked,

"The other aspect of the matter is for information to be made available on the internet and other media, so that there is no panic, whether in seeking the drug or obtaining the supplies of oxygen or finding out the nearest bed."

further, the Court also observed that the citizens ought also to exercise a degree of restraint that the State Government would be best suited to advise on.

The Court also asked the Authorities to initiate drives, whether through public announcements in the lesser towns and rural areas, to encourage people to come out and take the vaccine.

Lastly, the Court clarified that the Bench would be available, at least during the first fortnight of the vacation and may assemble upon prior notice to the relevant parties. 

Read more details about the Court hearing - Post Mortem Of Union's Stance On Covid Readiness And EC's Sensationalism Concerns May Have To Wait: Madras HC In Suo Motu Covid Case

Earlier, the Madras High Court had said that the Election Commission of India, State Government and the political parties should ensure that the counting day does not become a "super-spreader" event for the COVID19 pandemic.

In related news, the Calcutta High Court on Friday (April 30) expressed its hope that political parties, their candidates, and the supporters would adhere to the COVID-19 Protocols on counting Day (May 2) keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

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