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Shortly after announcing the death of over 700 primary teachers compelled to work on panchayat election duty, the Uttar Pradesh Primary Teachers Association voiced their concern about 300 more teachers, who are in critical condition since April 29, 2021.

 According to General Secretary Sanjay Singh, members called for a boycott of all election related duties during previous meetings in light of the increasing death toll. Members thanked the Supreme Court for taking cognisance of the issue and asking the state government and election commission (SEC) about necessary precautions for counting. However, Singh condemned the claims of the administration in the affidavit of the government. “They claim that they have been taking necessary precautions. These are nothing but claims. The loss of our members is proof of that. Nothing is happening here,” he said.

Yet on May 1 the apex court allowed for the counting of the state panchayat elections, after going through the state’s affidavit. The hearing ended with the conclusion that a curfew will be imposed in areas near counting centres and no victory rallies will take place after the result. Judges directed officials to save the CCTV footage of all counting centres.

Singh said that the association will hold a meeting on Saturday evening for a response on the Court’s latest decision.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court had asked the SEC to defer the counting to a more appropriate time.

“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 court said.

Nonetheless, the SEC remained firm on continuing with the move. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the SEC, said that there will be a cap of 75 persons at each counting centre and there are 829 total counting centres. Further, she said that a Class 1 officer of the government will monitor the situation at every centre.

To this the top court replied that senior officials will be held responsible if anything goes wrong.

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