Poll code in place, political ads still dot Ludhiana city

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 10

Even after the passage of 48 hours since the election model code of conduct came into force, political advertisement hoardings and banners that are violating the poll code are yet to be removed from different areas of the city. Some political parties are openly defacing public and private properties by getting their political advertisements displayed.

The MC has formed four teams to remove the unauthorised advertisements to ensure the implementation of the poll code. According to officials, many unauthorised political advertisements have been removed in the past two days.

The flex banners of political parties, including the Congress, AAP, SAD and BJP, can still be commonly seen in several internal areas of the city. Also, the advertisements of the Congress government with photo of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi have not been removed from some locations.

A resident of Dugri and member of the Samaj Sewa Society, Ramesh Srivastav, said the banners of some political parties have been displayed on electricity poles, street light poles and other properties in Urban Estate, Dugri, but no action has been taken against the violations even after poll code came into effect. “We demand from the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, to order action against those political advertisements that been installed in an unauthorised manner,” he said.

As per the directions of the Election Commission of India for enforcement of the model code of conduct, all unauthorised political advertisement, in form of wall writing/posters/papers of defacement in any other form, cut-outs/hoardings, banners, flags, etc, at public property and in public space like railway stations, bus stands, airports, railway bridges, roadways, government buses, electric/telephone poles, MC buildings, etc, shall be removed within 48 hours from the announcement of elections by the commission. Besides, all unauthorised political advertisements displayed on private property and subject to local law and court’s directions, if any, shall be removed within 72 hours from the announcement of elections by the commission.

MC Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal said they have formed four teams and all unauthorised political advertisements are being removed from the city.

MC fails to follow Advertisement policy

• According to the Punjab Municipal Outdoor Advertisement Policy, the Ludhiana MC is supposed to display information regarding the name and contact number of nodal officer and also about the total number of different type of advertisement devices permitted, their type, size, name and location, on its web portal and public noticeboard to bring transparency.
• The MC is also required to display contact number of advertising licence holder and validity of permission granted by urban local body concerned. “Proper information regarding authorised advertisement devices has not been made available for public on web portal of MC”, said Kuldeep Singh Khaira of the Vigilant Citizens’ Forum.

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