Parties told to shun plastic in poll campaign

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed all political parties to avoid using plastic in the campaign material for the assembly polls.

"We want the campaign to be environment-friendly. All parties should avoid using plastic in the campaign material. We hope they will adhere to it," ECI Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said after holding a two-day meeting to review the election preparedness in the state.

Poll publicity material like banners, posters, buntings have been banned in public places except where prior permission has been taken for the meeting during the election. "If the state already has a law pertaining to the issue, it will be enforced strictly," he added.

The ECI will invoke the provisions of the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act 1981 to initiate action against erring parties.

"As part of campaigning, political parties will be allowed to put up posters, banners and buntings only at venues where public meetings will be held. They should, however, remove the publicity material within an hour of such meetings conclude," Gopalaswami stated.

In an effort to ensure the model code of conduct is observed by all parties strictly, the ECI will empower poll observers and officials concerned to monitor the movements of the leaders, check the campaign material and bring to its notice any violation.

The poll guidelines will be issued early next week to the political parties.

Grievance cells will be set up in all constituencies for lodging complaints by the public as well as affected parties of any violation of the model code or the guidelines.

"To facilitate genuine voting, booth-level officers will be authorised to verify the voter's identity card and tally with the electoral list," he said.

The ECI will convene a meeting of deputy commissioners and top police officials in the border districts to check the movement of liquor and undesirable elements.

"We are holding a meeting with the top executive and police officials of the neighbouring states and Karnataka later this month to adopt a common strategy to check the influence of liquor, money and anti-social elements in the run-up to the voting day," Gopalaswami said.

A two-day training for all poll officers will be held on April 8 and April 9.