[BREAKING] Consider postponing UP elections: Allahabad High Court to Election Commission, PM Modi

The Allahabad High Court has requested Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and the Election Commission of India (ECI) to explore the option of postponing the upcoming Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly elections in view of rising Covid-19 cases. (Sanjay Yadav v. State of UP)

Single-judge Justice Shekhar Yadav observed "Jaan hain toh Jahaan hain" while requesting the PM and ECI to take a decision on postponing the election and political rallies.

"Election rallies of political parties should be banned to save the public from the third wave of Corona in the assembly elections to be held in UP. They should be asked to campaign through TV and newspapers. ECI should take strict steps to stop the election meetings and rallies of the parties. Also consider postponing the election, because only if there is life, the world is meaningful," the Court said.

The Court made these observations while granting bail to one Sanjay Yadav.

The Court also expressed its apprehensions about about large gathering within the court premises observing that "there is no social distancing and there might be a possibility of third wave because of the new omicron variant".

The Court also highlighted the devastation caused by second wave of COVID particularly during UP panchayat polls and West Bengal assembly elections.

"During the second wave, we have seen that lakhs of people have been infected with corona and died. The elections to the gram panchayat and the elections to the Bengal Legislative Assembly infected a lot of people and led to a lot of casualties," the Court observed.

It also praised the initiatives of PM Modi for his efforts towards "free vaccination" in a country with a huge population like India.

"The Prime Minister of our country, has run the campaign of free corona vaccination in a country with a huge population like India, which is commendable and the court praises him and request the Hon'ble Prime Minister to take strong steps in view of the situation of this dreadful epidemic, and consider exploring possibility to stop and postpone rallies, meetings and the upcoming elections because unless there is life, there is no meaning to the world," the Court said.

The Court directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Registrar General of Allahabad High Court, Election Commission and the Central government.

[Read Order]