EC ban fails to deter wall postering

GUWAHATI, April 25: Though there is a ban on wall painting on the walls of the Government offices, almost all the political parties are making free use of the walls of the State and Union government offices in utter violation of the norms. As per the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission, no political party or candidate can put up hoardings, cut outs, wall paintings etc. on highways, walls of the Government buildings and traffic inter-section crossings, without prior permission. As per the Commission's instruction, such unauthorised cut outs, hoardings, wall paintings etc. should be demolished or removed at the cost of the party or individual concerned. However, it is noticed that the political parties and individuals are making free use of the Government office walls for wall painting and postering all over Guwahati city, thereby violating the code of conduct and the instructions issued by the Commission. Meanwhile, official sources said that steps are being taken to remove the wall writings in the Government buildings and some walls have been whitewashed. Sources said that they have to first issue notice to the concerned political party or individual to wipe out the unauthorised wall writings within 24 hours. But very rarely the parties and individuals concerned wipe out the same within the stipulated period. Sources said that on most occasions, the authorities have to remove or demolish the unauthorised cut outs, hoardings, wall paintings etc. and "later we send the bill of the expenditure incurred in this regard to the concerned political parties and organisations". Sources said that the unauthorised wall paintings, cut outs etc. are being removed in a phased manner as the Government does not have adequate manpower to complete the job in a day or two. Sources revealed that surveys are being carried out to identify the unauthorised cut outs, wall paintings etc. and "sometimes we act on the complaints received from the public". As per the model code of conduct, no party or candidate will permit its or his followers to make use of any individual's land, building, compound wall etc. without his permission for creating flag staff, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans etc. However, this clause of the code of conduct is often violated as posters are pasted on individuals' property without his knowledge. The model code of conduct also includes strict instructions to avoid communal tension during the poll process. The code of conduct said that no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred among different caste or community. There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feeling for securing votes and mosques, churches, temples and other places or worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda. But quite often some political parties and candidates try to take advantage of the religious sentiments. Particularly in the interior areas, to woo the voters, in violation of the code of conduct. Another point of the model code of conduct often violated by the political parties and candidates is attacks on private life of individuals. As per the code of conduct, criticism of political parties, when made, should be confined to their policies, programmes and past records and work. Parties and candidates should refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life not connected to public activities. The Commission also barred criticism based on unverified allegations, but this has become a very common practice among almost all the parties.