Remove add banners from govt offices: EC instructs KMC

The full bench of the Election Commission (EC) that had visited the city on Monday to review the poll preparation in the state instructed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) commissioner Khalil Ahmed to remove all the hoardings and banners of various departments put on the wall of the government offices and other places and flyovers along the length and breadth of the city. 

The full bench had expressed its dissatisfaction to the election officials after it had observed that various government advertisements were put up at various places within the city. The commission’s full bench has taken a strong objection as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was not being followed properly by certain officials. 

The senior officials of the Election Commission found that there were hoardings, banners pertaining to various government departments carrying the photographs of the Chief Minister. Various political parties were raising their complaints with the commission that no steps were taken to remove the banners. 

All the district administrative officials were also asked by the commission to crack down the hoardings and banners. There is a proper mechanism in place to monitor the complaints. The commission is strictly monitoring the misuse of money, violation of MCC. The full bench had asked the election officials to take stern action against those violating the MCC and not adhering the election guidelines. 

“We have asked the concerned official to remove the banners in the KMC areas within 48 hours which are in violation of MCC, failing to which action will be taken against the officials who are on the charge of the duty,” a member of the full bench of the election commission said.