The authority and independence of Nirvachan Sadan have gone down like ninepins. This round of Assembly elections indeed has taken a huge toll on its sanctity and won’t be forgotten. Be it the Madras High Court or the unequivocal bashing by victorious TMC in West Bengal, the Election Commission would be smarting like never before.

More so, since Thursday last, after  Supreme Court refused to expunge Madras HC remarks, which held the poll panel ‘solely responsible for the surge in COVID cases in the country, observing its officials “should be put on murder charges” for “not stopping political parties from wanton abuse of the Covid-19 protocol” in poll rallies. Besides, its plea to restrain media from reporting judicial observations was also not upheld.

This said the court would be a “retrograde” act. Courts, it said “have to remain alive to evolving technology of media, it is not good if it’s restrained from reporting judicial proceedings,” as these are “in the larger public interest”. The ECI had argued through its SLP that the HC’s remarks were “uncalled for, blatantly disparaging and derogatory…had made serious allegations of murder on another independent constitutional authority (ECI) without any basis, which has ultimately dented both the institutions.”

The apex court was in  disagreement here too: “We have to protect the judicial sanctity of the process…to make sure that High Court judges and Chief Justices are independent to make views.” Guess, the only option left for the ECI is to set its house in order and remember a stitch in time saves nine. It better start preparing for 2022.