HC junks PIL seeking deferment of rural polls amid Covid surge
PRAYAGRAJ : Dismissing a PIL petition seeking postponement of UP panchayat polls due to surge in Covid cases, the Allahabad high court said the state had declared a protocol to be adhered to during the elections.
“The state government, while notifying elections in Panchayat Raj Institutions has already declared a protocol to be adhered during the election campaign of the elections. This court has also issued certain directions in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) relating to corona pandemic for the state government to follow during the entire process of elections. All necessary care as such shall be taken by the state government to prevent spread of infection during the course of Panchayat Raj elections. Hence, the PIL is dismissed,” a division bench comprising Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery observed while dismissing the public interest litigation petition.
The three-tier panchayat polls in the state will be held in four phases on April 15, 19, 26 and 29. The petitioner said in view of the massive surge in Covid cases across UP, it would be against the public interest to hold panchayat elections.
The petitioner further said the elections would not only cause enormous health hazard to public, they would also be in contravention of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which provides protection of life and personal liberty.
After hearing the submissions, the court dismissed the PIL, saying, “We do not find any merit in the argument advanced.” The court passed the order on April 7.