You can't take on the role of SDMA, says the ECI in making votes between COVID-19
New Delhi: The Indian Electoral Commission (ECI) defended itself by voting between COVID-19 and said it would not be able to assume the role of State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA).
India's Chief Electoral Commissioner, Sushil Chandra, in an interview with the Hindustan Times, said the ECI had continued to write to the SDMA and that during the epidemic, it was the SDMA's responsibility to take action.
"The electoral commission has always been at the forefront. As the crisis unfolded, it was the SDMA's responsibility to take action. We have written to them on a regular basis. We have also taken steps to prevent large-scale rallies and keep public outcry.
The ECI chief is heading to the newly concluded conference elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.
He pointed out that by the time the voting ended on April 6, the second wave of COVID-19 in the country was not visible at this level.
"In West Bengal, we have taken strict action since April 16. During this election, the SDMA did not issue any further closure orders and did not inform the EC of the need for any restrictions. "he added.
Chandra said in the last three rounds of the West Bengal eight-election conference, the ECI had increased the silence period from 48 hours to 72 hours and told state officials and secretaries to book people, cancel meetings if they did not comply with the rules.
He said the EC could issue a directive and tell them to take action, but they could not take on the role of SDMA.
"They have a responsibility to step up. And no section has told us that there is an outbreak of the epidemic. If the SDMA does not take part in controlling this, the EC will not be held accountable," Chandra said.
Asked about the idea of postponing the vote, Chandra said it was the ECI's constitutional basis to hold elections before the end of the meeting.
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