Election rallies rarely follow social distancing, the poll panel noted.
New Delhi:
The Electoral Commission has said that political parties have been putting candidates and the general public at risk of COVID-19 infection by not following the guidelines issued by it.
The voting panel had issued these rules in August, particularly in the run-up to Bihar’s assembly elections scheduled for October 28 to November 7. These included larger public spaces, more online interventions, a less crowded nomination process, and stricter campaign measures.
However, in a letter sent to state and national political parties on Wednesday, the Electoral Commission said it has learned of cases of large crowds violating social distancing at political meetings and leaders who addressed meetings without wearing masks.
On October 15, for example, several people were injured in the Saran district of Bihar when a stage prepared for a leader of Janata Dal (United) collapsed due to overcrowding. It was noted that no COVID-19 protocol was followed at this event attended by hundreds.
“By doing so, political parties and candidates are not only disobeying the Commission’s directives with impunity, but are exposing themselves and the public attending rallies / meetings to the danger of contagion during the pandemic,” says the letter.
Taking a serious view of such laxity, he reiterated his previous advice to show the utmost vigilance and care during elections.
“The chief executive officers and the district machinery … would be expected to invoke … penal provisions against the candidates … (and) the organizers responsible for such violations,” the letter said. Under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act and the IPC, violation of the COVID-19 guidelines could result in a jail term of up to two years.
India has recorded more than 77 lakh of COVID-19 cases so far, with deaths reaching over 1.16 lakh. The country has 7.16 lakh of active cases as of today.
.
