Relief to Covid-hit poll staff: HC issues notice to State, EC

Bengaluru: The families of polling staff, who have died of Covid after being part of the bypolls and elections to Urban Local Bodies in the State are likely to get compensation.

The Karnataka High Court has issued notices to the Election Commission of India (ECI), State Government and the State Election Commission (SEC) on a PIL, seeking compensation.

A division bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and M Nagaprasanna issued the notices after hearing the petition filed by Ambresh Kencha, an activist from Bidar Revolution.

Referring to a media report, the petitioner stated that 55 teaching staff, who were part of poll duty, died from Covid after the elections, while some are serious. Also, family members of polling staff are infected.