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Remove `communal hoardings', EC tells Gujarat

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI NOV. 1. In a strong indictment of the Narendra Modi Government in Gujarat, the Election Commission today directed the removal forthwith of all hoardings and posters displayed in the State "on communal lines".

According to Commission sources, a letter was today sent to the Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer, drawing his attention to the display of such posters and hoardings which had been highlighted by the media also.

The sources said that such a display would amount to an offence under Sections 153 A, 153 B and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code and Sec. 125 of the Representation of the People Act and also a violation of the model code of conduct.

The Commission directed the CEO to have all such posters and hoardings removed forthwith and take action against the authorities concerned for displaying them.

In another letter to the CEO, the Commission, according to the sources, expressed serious concern over the display of hoardings and advertisements in the media highlighting the achievements of the "Modi Government" issued at the cost of the State exchequer.

The letter pointed out that such advertisements were a violation of the model code of conduct for political parties and candidates.

The code prohibits the party in power at the Centre or in the State to ensure that there is no complaint of misuse of official position for the purpose of its election campaign.

Further, such advertisements in the mass media, including the electronic media, with regard to the achievements, during election period for partisan coverage to further the prospects of the party in power should be scrupulously avoided.

The letter said that even though the advertisements and hoardings might have been displayed before the notification to elections was issued, these had to be removed as they amounted to a violation of the model code.

The Commission asked the authorities to inform the CEO of the action taken. He, in turn, would send a compliance report to the Commission.

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