The Election Commission said the court order interferes with the voting process.
New Delhi:
The Election Commission has addressed the Supreme Court against the Madhya Pradesh Supreme Court’s decision to restrict physical political demonstrations in nine districts of the state in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Two BJP candidates contesting by-elections have approached the highest court.
Ahead of the upcoming 28-seat by-elections, the Gwalior High Court on Wednesday requested that the magistrates of the districts under their jurisdiction not grant permission to any candidate or political party for public meetings unless they can demonstrate that the virtual election campaign is impossible.
The electoral body said that the order of the higher court interferes with the voting process and that the holding of elections is its domain. The order would derail the voting process, he said. The restrictions will affect a level playing field for candidates, the Electoral Commission said.
On Thursday, the Madhya Pradesh government also decided to go to the Supreme Court against the higher court’s decision. In a video message, Prime Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan apologized to the people of Shadora and Bhander of Ashok Nagar, where he was expected to attend two political demonstrations. The rallies had to be canceled following the order of the court.
“We respect the High Court and its decision. But regarding this decision, we will go to the Supreme Court, because it is like having two laws in one country,” Chouhan told the ANI news agency.
“In some parts of Madhya Pradesh, physical political rallies are allowed. It is not allowed elsewhere. Political rallies are taking place in Bihar, but it is not allowed in part of Madhya Pradesh. Therefore, we will seek justice from the Supreme Cut, “he added.
On Wednesday, while ordering the first information reports against Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, the high court also called for strict restrictions on political rallies.
Permission for demonstrations can only be granted if the political party or candidate can convince the magistrate that a virtual election campaign is not possible, the court said. He also said that all physical manifestations must be approved by the Electoral Commission.
In the event that a physical rally is allowed, it can only be held when the party or candidate deposits sufficient funds with the District Magistrate to double the required amount of masks and disinfectants for participants, the court added.
Twenty-eight seats from Madhya Pradesh will be available for by-elections next month. A portion of these seats was vacated when Jyotiraditya Scindia switched camps from Congress to the BJP with her loyalists in March.
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