Thursday, March 10, 2016

EC bans political advertisement on PSU structures

Chennai:

The Election Commission has banned political advertisement at the space provided on lease for commercial advertisements like airports, railway stations, bus stands or any building or structure owned by public sector units.



A circular to this effect has been issued by the chief electoral officer RajeshLakhoni to all the heads of the department in the state government to remove any advertisement immediately with the enforcement of model code of conduct.



Since there is no specific provision in the by-laws of public sector units or in the agreements with the advertisement agencies to whom they let out space for advertisement, the election commission has instructed the PSUs to add a para stating that no political advertisements shall be displayed or pasted at space provided on lease for commercial advertisements.



These include prominent areas like airports, railway stations, inter state or local bus stands, post offices, government buses, government hospitals, dispensaries (except on main highways or main roads) during the period of mode code of conduct.



Interestingly, the Election Commission has also stated that advertisement or banners on private places should be erected only after getting the permission from the occupant. A photo-copy of voluntary permission in writing should be obtained and submitted to the returning officer within three days of putting up the flags and banners in such cases.



“If the local law does not permit wall writings and pasting of posters which is not easily removable, the same shall not be resorted to under any circumstances even on the pretext of having obtained consent of the owner of the property,” Election Commission has said.



Meanwhile, the model code of conduct reference cases should have to be routed through the departments through the chief secretary of the state and not directly to the chief electoral officer, according to a circular issued by chief electoral officer.



Box:

TN cancels leave for govt officials

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K Ganandesikan has issued a circular asking all the government officials entrusted with electoral responsibilities to avoid applying permission to avail casual leave and holidays.



The circular states that all collectors or additional collectors, district revenue officers, sub-collectors, revenue divisional officers and officials entrusted with electoral responsibilities should remain in headquarters till the election process is ovet except in special and unavoidable circumstances

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