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An application in the Supreme Court has sought strict compliance of the Covid-19 protocols during the election campaigns and other national level events in view of the outbreak of omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus looming large.

The application has been filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari in a pending Public Interest Litigation filed earlier in connection to following restrictions elections and Kumbh Mela amid Covid-19.

The present application has been filed in relation to the upcoming elections and ongoing election campaigns in the State of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to be conducted in February to March 2022.

The application has stated that the recent emergence of the dominant variant Omicron makes it a greater concern and issue for the respondent authorities to think upon and demands greater response to make sure that such upcoming elections along with its present campaigning and public involvement does not escalate the situation of COVID-19.

The plea has sought direction to the the Election Commission of India to issue strict guidelines, policies and directions for the practical enforcement and adherence to Covid-19 protocols during the upcoming state elections.

It has further sought direction fron the court to instruct and order the Election Commission of India to promote and direct the political parties to conduct the election promotional activities through digital platform.

It stated that "The World Health Organisation has also opined that this new strain seems to be spreading faster than the Delta variant. Therefore at this initial and sensitive stage, it was advised that the community gathering leading to community transmission needs to be stopped with immediate effect and also to restrict the non-essential travelling of the citizens in the interest of public health so as to avoid the disastrous second wave that had hit the country severely in 2021."

The plea has further submitted that "The entire Shock and burden was faced by the Common man. The first wave destroyed, but the SECOND wave proved to be more terrible and deadly, which took lacs of lives and brought havoc on the citizens."

"Now we are heading towards the third wave as per to the reports. This time also who is going to Suffer, same as earlier The Common man of this country," the application added.

​​​​​Case Title: Vishal Tiwari Vs. Union of India and Ors.