By Diksha-
The Supreme Court today put a stay on the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order retraining physical political rallies for bye-polls in the State in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Hon’ble Court further left the discretion to decide on this matter to the Election Commission (EC).
Recently, the M.P. High Court had passed an order to curb the physical rallies and conduct virtual meetings which was challenged by the EC. The Court had also given guidelines to be followed by the political parties during this Coronavirus period.
The Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna gave EC the power to issue guidelines in accordance with law keeping in mind the pandemic.
The Court said, “We stay the operation of the High Court order of October 20 and 23. We direct ECI to take cognisance of issues raised in the petition before the High Court. All contentions are left open. It will be open to parties to invite attention of ECI in respect of issues arising.”
Bye-polls for 28 seats in the State Assembly are to be conducted on November 3.
The matter has been listed to be heard in 6 weeks.