The Madras High Court today tore into the Election Commission of India for holding polls in five States. The court said that the ECI is singularly responsible for the second wave of the pandemic.

It suggested that the officials should probably be booked for murder for allowing political rallies. It asked for a blueprint to be produced at the earliest. Otherwise, the court suggested that it will order for a stopping of the counting of votes.

The court said that protocols and covid-appropriate behaviour (such as masks, sanitisers) were not strictly implemented during electioneering.

The HC's words have come in for criticism. "The ECI had to make a tough decision. It couldn't have postponed the elections. It would have resulted in President's Rule and critics lamenting that it's undemocratic," a social media user said.

The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 2.