Notwithstanding Large-scale Deaths Of Teachers On Duty, Panchayat Poll Votes To Be Counted Tomorrow

Lucknow, May 1 (TNA) Notwithstanding a huge surge in COVID cases in Uttar Pradesh and more than 700 teachers dying due to the virus while being on duty in the four-phased panchayat polls, the state election commission on Saturday told the Supreme Court (SC) thay they were going ahead with the counting of votes scheduled on Sunday. The apex court thereafter hgave a go ahead.

Citing the frightening Covid spike in the state, the top court in the morning had asked the poll commission: "Despite the situation, you need to go ahead? Can you have it after two weeks so that the medical facilities can be improved?" "You want to proceed despite all odds? Heavens will not fall if counting is deferred by three weeks," the apex court had even said.

The UP Election Commission, however, told the court: "We have taken a decision to go ahead." The SC then allowed the counting but with riders like following of social distancing norms and other protocol. The Teachers' Association has filed a petition seeking deferring of counting citing large scale death of teachers.