SC Allows Counting For UP Panchayat Polls Tomorrow, Curfew To Be Imposed Till Completion

The Supreme Court slammed the Election Commission for willing to conduct UP Panchayat Polls counting tomorrow amid the Covid crisis.

Supreme Court

The Covid situation in the country and ravaged almost every life, some lost their loved ones, while many are battling with the havoc, struggling with the mismanagement of the administration, raising their voices to get oxygen, beds, and other Covid necessities. In this midst of gloom and despair, the Supreme Court today asked the state election commission in Uttar Pradesh to delay the counting for rural polls, which is to be held tomorrow.

Citing the Covid situation in Uttar Pradesh, the apex Court said, "Despite the situation, you need to go ahead? Can you have it after two weeks so that the medical facilities can be improved?"

"You want to proceed despite all odds? Heavens will not fall if counting is deferred by three weeks," the top court said in a sharp remark.

The court further raised the point of deaths of teachers who volunteered during the UP panchayat polls and succumbed to the virus and said, "Teachers' association has filed a petition, and they are unwilling to work. How do you handle the situation?"

However, Supreme Court allowed the process of counting of votes of Uttar Pradesh Gram Panchayat polls starting tomorrow while taking into note the assurance given by the State Election Commission that necessary measures will take place at counting centers in terms of COVID 19 guidelines.

The court also directed the state to impose curfew till counting goes on in the centers. Supreme Court said no victory rallies to take place.

The Election Commission ensured the Supreme Court during the beginning of the hearing that all the Covid protocols will be followed during the counting process of UP Panchayat polls, oximeter tests will be done at the entrance of counting centres, no crowds will be allowed inside the counting centres and outside, centres will be sanitised after every shift, social distancing will be maintained and thermal checking will be done.

A record single-day 332 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, pushing the fatality count in the state to 12,570, while the total number of cases mounted to 12,52,324 with 34,626 more people testing positive for the disease.