The Election Commission of India (ECI,) on the 27th of April, banned Tuesday victory processions on or after counting of votes in poll bound states.
According to the announcement, states where assembly polls were held, no political party would be allowed to conduct a victory procession or mass gathering. The decision was taken to control and check the spread of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19.
The announcement came a day after the Madras High Court (HC) lashed out at the ECI and held it responsible for the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
The Madras High Court said, due to the allowed public rallies and political campaigns in poll bound states, the nation reported so many new cases. During the rallies, many political leaders flouted COVID-19 protocols, leading to rise in cases. Besides the Madras HC, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also criticised the EC for the same.
In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the country, the Commission has decided to make more stringent provisions to be followed during the process of counting. It will be an addition to the existing broad guidelines dated 21st August, 2020.
It said no victory processions would be allowed after the counting of votes and only a maximum of two people would be allowed to accompany the winning candidate or their authorised representative to receive the certificate of election from the Returning Officer.
Soon after the ECI announced the same, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President J.P. Nadda welcomed the order.
Mr. Nadda said, “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 karyakartas of BJP are using their energies to help the ones in need in this hour of crisis.”
The results of recently held Assembly elections in four states and one union territory is scheduled to be announced on the 2nd of May.
Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry conducted their Assembly elections in April 2021.
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