Chennai: On Sunday, despite the Covid-19 restrictions, supporters of winning candidates in four States and one Union Territory indulged in victory celebrations, drawing the ire of the Electino Commission.

The poll body told political parties that its ban on victory processions during and after counting of votes was being flouted, and asked them to restrain their workers from violating Covid-19 guidelines.

The EC, in its lettere to the heads of recognised parties about its instructions being ignored, said, ‘It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that even after the directions and advisories already issued by the Commission to ban victory celebrations during counting day until the period of model code, at some locations in some states, the victory celebrations are being carried out today by the party workers and representatives in contravention of the Commission’s directions.’

The Commission said it has expressed its displeasure on the failure of certain parties to abide by existing instructions and guidelines.

‘…it is utmost necessary that you direct/guide your party representatives/followers with strictness to stop them to celebrate and show restraint in these challenging times and ask them to behave strictly in accordance with the ECI’s instructions and extant instructions on Covid issued by National and State disaster management authorities,’ it added.