A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and Justice NS Dhanik also refused to issue any orders prohibiting physical rallies.
Postponing elections is not the Court's business, the Uttarakhand High Court said on Thursday, refusing to postpone the state's scheduled assembly polls. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and Justice NS Dhanik also refused to issue any orders prohibiting physical rallies.
The statements came after counsel Shobhit Saharia, sitting for the ECI, informed the Court that physical demonstrations in poll-bound states had already been prohibited until January 15. Additional directions will be issued when the ECI assesses the situation.
Previously, the Uttarakhand High Court directed the Electoral Commission to explore holding virtual election rallies in the state, which is set to vote next month. The HC explained why election rallies cannot be organised digitally while courts and other government agencies are available online. In their application, Dushyant Mainali, Sachidanand Dabral, and others stated that political parties were violating fundamental Covid norms and that it was necessary to postpone the elections in order to protect individuals' health.
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Meanwhile, the election commission has prohibited all protests, roadshows, and padayatras until January 15 because to the increasing number of Covid occurrences. Sushil Chandra, Chief Electoral Commissioner, stated that on January 15, the electoral board will assess the COVID-19 issue and decide whether or not to allow public demonstrations. The state Assembly elections in Uttarakhand are set for February 14, 2022, and all major political parties have already begun campaigning.
The Chief Election Commissioner has advised political parties to conduct their campaigns online rather than in person. All political parties have been directed to campaign digitally wherever possible and to limit public activities. Door-to-door campaigning is limited to a team of no more than five people.
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