EC tightens rules for display of leader's posters

Tightening regulations concerning public display of election canvass material, the Election Commission (EC) has issued specific directives to remove all pictures and calenders of leaders, including the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers.

According to the directives issued by the EC, posters or calenders displaying pictures of political office bearers would have to be removed from public and government buildings, additional chief electoral officer of Uttar Pradesh, Amrit Abhijat told mediapersons here today, citing that this was the first time such directives were issued.

Only the pictures of father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, incumbent President Pratibha Patil and incumbent governors of the states have been exempted, Abhijat said.

Meanwhile, another important directive by the commission states that the expenditure of bullet proof vehicles who had been provided with them for non-government purposes would have to be borne by them.

"If such a person also happens to be a member of a political party the expenditure would have to be incurred by that particular party," the official said.