After polls in four of the five States are over, the Election Commission has woken up to the threat of coronavirus. Taking a serious view of laxity on part of some political leaders in maintaining Covid-19 safety norms, particularly not wearing face masks, saying candidates and star campaigners can be banned from holding campaign rallies if Covid guidelines issued by it last year are breached.
The Commission has advised political leaders to set an example by maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, etc., and exhorting all the local formations who attend their campaign programmes to follow Covid-19 protocol.
In a letter to leaders of all recognised political parties, the EC said, “It is widely known that in recent weeks, Covid cases are being reported in larger numbers. However, instances of election meetings/campaigns have come to the notice of the commission, where norms of social distancing, wearing of masks have been flouted in disregard to the commission’s guidelines.”
Pointing to the recent rise in Covid-19 cases, the EC said instances had come to its notice where norms of social distancing, wearing of masks, etc., have been flouted in disregard to the Commission’s guidelines dated August 21, 2020, on Covid-19 -safe poll campaigning.
“Instances of star campaigners/political leaders/candidates not observing Covid protocols including non-wearing of masks themselves at the stage or while campaigning have come to notice. By doing so, the political parties and candidates are exposing themselves as well as the public attending such election meetings to the grave danger of infection,” noted EC.
The poll panel sought the fullest cooperation from the political parties and candidates in strictest observance of the protocols so that all the Covid guidelines are adhered to by all the participants including organisers in the electioneering.
In cases of breach, the EC said it will “not hesitate in banning public meetings, rallies of defaulting candidates, star campaigners or political leaders without any further reference”. The poll panel said it has taken a “serious view of the laxity” in following norms, particularly not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing by political leaders on the dais or stage.
It asked parties to follow its guidelines with all seriousness. The two-page letter said it is advisable that political leaders and candidates, who have the incumbent duty to control the spread of Covid-19, lead by example.
They must push all their supporters in the beginning of a rally, meeting, or a campaign to wear masks and use sanitisers, and put in place crowd-control measures as per social distancing norms, according to the letter.
“Political parties, leaders, campaigners, candidates, existing or aspiring policymakers are expected to be torch-bearers for the campaign against COVID and hence, are expected to not only set an example by maintaining social distancing, wearing masks and following prescribed protocols but also by exhorting all the local formations who attend programmes to follow COVID protocols,” the letter read.
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court had sought responses from the commission and the central government on the use of masks during poll campaigns.
As per Covid guidelines issued in view of Bihar polls last year, EC had asked parties and candidates concerned to ensure that all Covid-related requirements like face masks, sanitizers, thermal scanning etc. are fulfilled. It had then added that non-compliance of instructions during the period of public interface would attract action under the Disaster Management Act and Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
