Cong complains to poll panel over code of conduct 'violation'

The Congress Wednesday complained to the State Election Commission of Maharashtra (SECM) about government's advertisements displayed on the state transport buses, bus stops and petrol pumps, terming it as a violation of model code of conduct.

Congress general secretary and spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the Election Commission's model code of conduct has come into force from March 10 for the Lok Sabha polls.

"Despite this, ST buses, bus stops, petrol pumps and other public places are displaying government advertisements. They have not been removed yet," he said.

Although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed all the states, including Maharashtra, to remove all government advertisements, its order is not being followed.

He added that the commission should seek an explanation from the government about it and register a case of violation of the model code of conduct.

Meanwhile, the suburban District Election Officer (DEO) has removed 10,691 advertisement hoardings in Mumbai suburbs in the last three days.

An official of suburban DEO said that 8,465 hoardings, posters, banners and flags of the advertisements have been removed from public places and 2,226 banners have been removed from private places.

Static surveillance team, video surveillance team and video viewing team have also been set up to monitor the violation of model code of conduct in the district, he said.