Defacement of public property goes unabated in Jammu

 

Political posters, hoardings dot region, Election authorities unmoved  

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 13: Defacement of public property by sticking posters and hoardings by Political parties has failed to attract the attention of election authorities in Jammu region despite the practice being a gross violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

  Even as huge hoardings, posters and flags put up by political parties dot every public area in all major towns the lection authorities have preferred to keep mum over the violations. 

Admitting that the political parties were violating MCC, an elections officer said that using public property including roads, government officers, electric poles, cable wires, parks etc for campaigning amount to violation of the model code of conduct.

He said even sticking of adhesive posters amount to violation of MCC and for this case can be registered under ‘Defacement of property Act’.

A social activist and professor at Gandhi Memorial College, Seema Matoo said that even after the announcement of the poll schedule, the election officials did not ensure immediate removal of such hoardings, banners and flags, which are hanging across the city.

“Even, telephone and electric poles have been used to affix posters and banners,” she said and added that the district administration, which works under the direct command and supervision of the Election Commission, was expected to ensure that the code was strictly followed.

She said that  colourful hoardings, sparkling flexi banners, posters and flags of several aspirants, including Congress, National Conference and Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), besides independent candidates dot the city streets, state highways, major roads and other public places.

The defacement of public property is more rampant in Jammu city where   political parties, independent candidates have not spared even electric polls.

 Huge hoardings, flags, buntings and posters with picture or symbol of contesting candidates can be seen on electric poles, compound walls and other noticeable spots along the several kilometers road stretch of the Gandhi Nagar.

Among the violators, Congress stalwart, Raman Bhalla is at the top followed by PDP candidate, Amrik Singh Reen and NC candidate, Surinder Singh Bunty.

An Election officer, wishing anonymity said there are clear instructions not to hang banners and campaigning materials across main roads, official buildings and private property without consent.

“The guidelines clearly say it is violation of MCC to affix the campaigning materials such as banners, posters and party flags on telephone or electricity poles, but still many parties and independent candidates are hanging and pasting flags and posters across the region  ”, official admitted.

When contacted, Assistant Returning Officer, Gandhi Nagar , Avni Lavasa said all the political parties and ticket aspirants have been informed to withdraw their campaigning materials from public property, especially that of PDD and JMC, but ‘they are not complying with the orders’.

“We have initiated steps to pull out the campaigning material of the parties. Since many political parties have not complied with the instructions, we have decided to lodge an FIR against erring parties and candidates,” Lavasa said and added that the flying squads have been instructed to remove flags and banners.