Telangana News

The Election Commission has asked the poll machinery in the five poll-bound states- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur, to either remove or cover politicians photos on all hoardings and advertisements.

The EC gave these latest directions by reiterating its instructions issued on December 12th 2004, after the Goa’s chief electoral officer, raised the issue, after the announcement of the election schedule on January 4th.

However, the EC also clarified that, the hoardings that convey the general message to the masses like family planning, or any social welfare schemes would be allowed to display.

"However, all those hoardings, advertisements which seek or purport to project the achievements of any living political functionary or political party and which carry their photos or name or party symbol should be removed forthwith. No political party or functionary can use public resources and incur or authorize an expenditure from the public exchequer to eulogize himself or itself or enhance his/its own or any political leader's image," the official statement said.

The poll panel made it clear that such images or hoardings "undoubtedly amount to their individual/party election campaign at public cost".

All the five states are going for Assembly polls between February 4th to 8th.