The Hindu 04.01.2014
BMC election: 20 truckloads of banners seized
With a fierce electoral battle being fought for
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation poll, administration is now facing a
tough time to keep the cityscape in shape in accordance with the model
code of conduct.
Squads have so far seized 20 truckloads of posters since campaigning for the civic body poll got intensified from December 28.
“Last
six days have been very hectic for our squads to clear banners and
posters put up in public places. The collection of posters per day is
not less than two truck-loads. We have so far seized 20 truckloads and
stored those on premise of BMC office,” Election officer-cum-additional
district magistrate Manoj Kumar Patnaik said here on Friday.
The
model code of conduct says posters cannot be put up along roads which
could distract vehicle drivers, or cannot be displayed in government
offices. However, political parties pay scant regards to the code.
“As
per provision, we are required to issue notice to candidates poster of
which is found to be in wrong position. Thereafter, banners would be
removed and the expenditure incurred on the exercise would have to be
charged on the candidate. But looking at the staff constraint, we can
hardly afford to follow the procedure. We are on our own removing the
posters,” said Mr Patnaik.
Besides, it is difficult
to attribute the poster to any candidate as in all likelihood the
candidate would come out with explanation that it is conspiracy of
opponents, he pointed out.
As the technology for
printing posters and banners have improved compared to last elections,
candidates do not mind their banners being seized by the administration.
Thousands of posters could be printed in a night.
Around 250 to 300 officials in 10 squads now regularly patrol the city inspecting if posters are displayed at wrong place.
The
Khurda district administration expects that by the end of the
campaigning, the volume of seizure would grow by another 20 trucks.
