PANCHAYAT POLLS: HC SEEKS SEC’S EXPLANATION OVER DEATHS, COVID VIOLATIONS

The Allahabad high court on Tuesday took note of reports related to deaths of government employees on panchayat election duty and directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to explain by the next hearing as to why it failed in checking non- compliance with Covid-19 guidelines during various phases of the panchayat elections in the state.

The court also asked the SEC to explain why action may not be taken against it and 27 of its officials for the same, including prosecuting those responsible for such violations. The court mentioned a news report which alleged 135 deaths of government employees on panchayat election duty due to Covid-19.

The state is witnessing fourphase panchayat elections that began on April 15 and will end on April 29.

The bench comprising Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Ajit Kumar passed the order on a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on the spread of Covid-19 in the state and the condition of quarantine centres.

Fixing May 3 as the next date