EC asks parties to follow directions on use of public funds

The state election commission on Monday asked political parties in poll-bound Punjab to comply with the directions of the Election Commission on not using public funds and machinery to carry out any activity that amounts to advertisement for the party. 

“We have written to all political parties in Punjab to follow the directions of the Election Commission with regard to use of public funds and government machinery,” a senior state election commission official said. 

The EC had recently issued directions stating that no political party would be allowed to use public funds, public place and government machinery to carry out any activity that would amount to advertisement for the party or propagating the election symbol allotted to the party. 

The Commission had said, “It is clarified that any violation of the directions would be treated as violation of a lawful direction of the Commission within the meaning of paragraph 16 A of the Elections Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968),” 

The state Assembly elections are due next year.