Show Cause Notice To State Election Commission : Allahabad High Court

Overview

• After taking into note the deaths of 135 staff members due to COVID-19, who were assigned election duty during Panchayat elections in the state. The Allahabad Court issues show-cause notice to State Election Commission.

Why the Notice

• This matter came into notice after a news item published by Amar Ujala where it was given that 135 Shiksha Mitras, teachers, and investigators who were assigned at election duty for panchayat elections in the State died due to COVID-19.
• The Court issued the notice after the news was verified.

What did the bench say

• It is the ‘PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. - 574 of 2020’ in Allahabad High Court
• The Bench comprised Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Ajit Kumar.
• After the news was verified, the Court issues a Judicial notice for the same
• The Court also issues a show-cause notice to State Election Commission to explain to the court why it has failed in checking the non-compliance of the COVID Guidelines in the current Panchayat elections and why no action has been taken against such violations.
• The Court has further directed the State Election Commission to take measures and ensure that these COVID guidelines are strictly followed in the forthcoming phases of panchayat elections in the State.

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