The Election Commission on Tuesday banned all victory processions on or after counting of votes in states where assembly polls were held, sources said, adding that the decision has been taken to check the spread of the coronavirus.
An Election Commission notification said, "Not more than two persons shall be allowed to accompany the winning candidate or his/her authorised representative receive the certificate of election from the Returning Officer concerned,".
The poll panel had previously laid down a set of protocols for politicians to follow to minimise the chance of transmission amid rising Covid cases. But these were largely ignored by parties who organised huge rallies and gatherings. The EC did little to crack down on violations other than issuing circulars reiterating its Covid protocols.
The second wave has, meanwhile, intensified in its ferocity, making way for suggestions that the elections have turned into Covid catalysts.
Yesterday, Madras High Court rebuked the Commission in harshest terms, holding it “singularly” responsible for India’s second Covid wave.
The HC also called the body “the most irresponsible institution.”
“Were you (living) on another planet?” the bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy asked commission officials.
When counsel for the poll panel said all the required steps were being taken, the bench retorted that by allowing political parties to organise rallies, the commission had paved the way for the Covid resurgence and that its officials might be booked for murder.
The bench directed the Election Commission to file a detailed report by April 30 on the Covid-19 protocols to be followed on counting day.
Observing that the situation now was one of survival, the judges warned orally that they would not hesitate to stop the counting of votes on May 2.
Last week, Calcutta High Court had also censured the commission over the lax enforcement of Covid safety norms during the ongoing elections.
Counting of votes is scheduled to be held in Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry on May 2.
BJP welcomes EC order
BJP president J P Nadda on Tuesday welcomed the Election Commission's order banning victory processions during and after counting of votes. "I welcome the decision of the ECI banning celebrations and processions of electoral victories. I have directed all state units of BJP to strictly adhere to this decision. All karykartas of BJP are using their energies to help the ones in need in this hour of crisis," Nadda said in a tweet.
