In a pivotal decision, the Kerala High Court ruled on Friday that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), implemented due to the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha bypoll in Wayanad, should not disrupt ongoing rehabilitation and relief operations in the landslide-affected regions of the district. The ruling comes as a relief to those affected by the natural disasters that struck the area on July 30.
The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Syam Kumar V M, in a suo moto case taken up by the court following the devastating landslides. The bench also mandated that the Election Commission ensure that electoral campaigns in Wayanad adhere to the green protocol, respecting the ecological sensitivity of the constituency.
This order was based on a comprehensive report submitted by amicus curiae Senior Advocate Rajith Thampan, which highlighted the urgent need for continued relief efforts irrespective of the electoral code. “Any interpretation of the Model Code of Conduct that would hamper the rehabilitation and relief work in Wayanad district will be undesirable,” the justices noted in their order.
