'Political Party Leaders Must Lead by Example': Madras High Court Exhorts Political Leaders, Party Rank And File To Abide By COVID Norms

In the course of its order after taking up its own motion matter concerning the State of Tamil Nadu's Covid-19 response and measures adopted on the day votes were counted, the Madras High Court exhorted political party leaders, media personnel and citizens adhere to guidelines issued by the State and the Election Commission, follow norms and cooperate with authorities in public interest.

The Chief Justice-led Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthil Ramamoorthy underscored the onus laid on political leaders to "lead by example" and "encourage the rank and file" of party workers not to violate Covid-19 protocol.

 Political parties should ensure rank and file exercise discipline and restraint in celebration and otherwise..till such time that the present grim situation continues...", the Court enjoined.

The Court exhorted political leaders to make certain firecrackers were not burst and no rally was taken out on the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Election poll-counting day.

"Leaders of political parties are requested to take proactive steps in this regard and lead by example", the Court again 

Measures in place on counting day

The State Government through the Advocate General made submissions in response to the Court's query at the previous hearing on steps taken to ensure media personnel did not crowd around counting centres. The Advocate General Vijay Narayan submitted that mediapersons were to carry with them an RTPCR test report obtained within 72 hours or should have obtained at least one shot of covid-19 vaccine.

Chief Justice N observed that it would be difficult to check for these documents outside the centres. "Inside testing centres we know there will be restriction, how will you control the situation outside, there will be a scramble of media persons…How will you check for RTPCR results outside?", the Court asked.

To this query, the Advocate General said that police posted outside the counting centres would check RTPCR reports and only then persons will be allowed in the vicinity of the centres.

The Counsel Election Commission referred the Circular it had issued wherein it directed that no public gathering outside the venue shall be allowed during the process of counting

 "Between the State and the EC this information should be communicated to the media outlets, channels", the Court directed.

"We have directed that there should be no victory procession after the counting...Not more than two persons shall accompany the winning candidate to receive the certificate of election from the returning officer"

"Very good", the Chief Justice remarked. "How long will the (counting) process take?", he asked additionally. The Counsel for the Election Commission replied that the process could peter out by 6-7 PM in the evening in most constituencies, but could get delayed in other constituencies.

Against this backdrop, the Court dictated,

"In view of the guidelines published by the EC and measures put in place on entry into counting centres, surrounding areas etc, It is hoped that political parties, media personnel and citizens adhere to guideLines, follow norms and cooperate with authorities in public interest"