Election commission bans celebratory procession after poll result; Himanta Biswa Sarma appreciates restrictions

The election commission has issued a notice restricting any kind of celebration after the poll results are announced.

In a letter dated April 27, the commission notified that it issued broad guideline to conduct general election/bye election during COVID-19 on 21 August, 2020 after receiving views/suggestions of National/State Political Parties.

“The Commission has further considered the views/suggestions received from various Chief Electoral Officers of States/UTs on election campaign and public meetings. The Commission has fixed counting of votes for General Election to Legislative Assemblies of West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry along with Bye-Elections in various states on 02.05.2021. In view of the surge in COV1D-19 cases throughout the country, the Commission has decided to make more stringent provision to be followed during the process of Counting, in addition to existing Broad Guidelines dated 21 August, 2020.”

In the new guideline, no victory procession after the counting of votes shall be permissible.

“Not more than two persons shall be allowed to accompany the winning candidate or his/her authorized representative receive the certificate of election from the Returning Officer concerned,” the letter further said.

BJP leader and Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also tweeted about the decision. He wrote, “The decision by @ECISVEEP to ban celebrations & processions after results are announced on May 2 is welcome. In view of the prevailing grim circumstances, I urge all party karyakartas & well-wishers to follow utmost restraints and stay vigilant.”