Election Commission issues notice to Samajwadi Party over violation of Covid norms, seeks explanation

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Saturday issued a notice to the Samajwadi Party asking it to explain its stand regarding Friday’s public gathering at its office in Lucknow, which as per reports was prima facie in violation of lawful directions of the Commission relating to Covid protocols.
“Political parties are important stakeholders in the electoral process and they always cooperate with EC in carrying out its constitutional duties of conducting elections even during challenging times….Political parties are expected to set high standards among the public at large by following the laws of the land in letter and spirit during the period of elections,” states the EC notice addressed to the SP general secretary.
EC asked SP to furnish an explanation within 24 hours of receipt of the notice.
A large public gathering at a ‘virtual rally’ organised at the SP party office on Friday in Lucknow, allegedly in violation of the extant Covid guidelines of the commission that ban all physical modes of campaigning, had led the EC to immediately seek a report from the UP chief electoral officer. Subsequently, EC had directed Gautampalli police station SHO Dinesh Singh Bisht to be placed under immediate suspension, besides asking the UP CEO to seek an explanation from Lucknow Central returning officer Gautam Maurya and Lucknow ACP Akhilesh Singh on why action should not be taken against them for failing in implementation of extant Covid instructions and other applicable laws.
An FIR was also registered in this regard in the Gautampalli police station against 2000-2500 SP party workers under the relevant provisions of IPC, DM Act and Epidemic Act.