-The Hindu U.P. govt. ill-prepared to deal with spread of infections in rural areas, says Allahabad High Court The Election Commission, the higher courts and the government failed to fathom the disastrous consequences of permitting the elections in a few States and the Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court has noted. The Uttar Pradesh government is having tough time in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in urban areas and it...

-Press communiqué by Association for Democratic Reforms, dated 5th May, 2021 In a letter sent to Shri Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commissioner and Shri Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioner on 5th May, 2021, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has requested for extending facilities allowing migrant workers to vote from their current residences away from home constituencies, at a time when similar facility is being worked out for the Non-resident Indians (NRIs) by...

-Livemint.com The BJP has done poorly against regional parties but the worst showing this election season was the Election Commission’s Never has analyzing election results seemed an exercise so disconnected from reality. Since the number of daily covid cases exploded three weeks ago, the conditions that led to Sunday’s outcomes have profoundly altered. Even before these elections became a pandemic spreading vector, this has been the most violent election season in recent times,...

-The Indian Express "Media is a powerful watchdog in democracy, it cannot be stopped from reporting discussions in higher courts. Seeking relief such as media should not report on observations is too far-fetched," the Supreme Court said in its observations, news agency PTI reported. The media cannot be stopped from reporting any court hearing, the Supreme Court said on Monday as the Election Commission complained against the Madras High Court’s observation that...

-Hindustan Times At least 700 state government school employees on panchayat poll duty succumbed to Covid in Uttar Pradesh this month, the state teachers’ union said on Friday, underlining the risk of flouting Covid norms during a devastating surge in infections Lucknow: At least 700 state government school employees on panchayat poll duty succumbed to Covid in Uttar Pradesh this month, the state teachers’ union said on Friday, underlining the risk of...