Omicron Spread: PIL Filed in Supreme Court Seeking Guidelines to Political Parties to Adhere To COVID-19 Protocol in Ensuing Assembly Elections of the 5 States
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In the backdrop of the speedy spread of Omicron new variant of COVID-19, a lawyer has filed a PIL in Supreme Court seeking the authorities to issue directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.
In Feb-March 2022 5 states of India are scheduled to go for the elections and large-scale public campaigning promotional activities and processions which will be conducted by various political parties in lieu of the elections are at full swing which includes higher proportion of public involvement and crowds.
It is a matter of great issue for the respondent authorities to think upon and demand greater response to make sure that such upcoming election along with its present campaigning public involvement not escalate the situation of COVID-19.
The directions have been sought in the Application filed by an Advocate Vishal Tiwari who had earlier filed a writ petition in the Apex Court.
The petitioner further says that the Omicron has reached a figure of more than 300 detected cases at present with a steep rise in the country particularly with greater escalation in Telangana.
The Applicant has submitted that this is the most crucial time for the nation which demands greater policy and guidelines making and it is of greater importance to restrict the public and community involvement in respect to the state and national level events.
It is also pointed out that the upcoming elections along with its present promotional campaign, processions, public gatherings need to be restricted under the notion of public health concerning the duty of the state to preserve the same which is an integral part under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
According to the Applicant the members of the national COVI-19 supermodel committee has mentioned that daily cases in India are expected to rise steeply as the Omicron has replaced Delta as the dominant variant.
The Committee is of opinion that the third wave of the COVID-19 is expected to arrive in India early in Feb.2022, and needs to be controlled in the initial phase to reduce as number of cases as much as possible. The country has not overcome from the emergency caused by the second wave of COVID-19 in 2021.
It has also been argued in the Application that lack of enforcement measures and inefficient conduct of election promotional activities of the Election Commission of India along with derogatory actions and non-compliance to the COVID-19guidelines by political parties been a serious threat to the public health of India with greater escalation of cases during the state elections conducted at West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Pondicherry in 2021.
