EC's decision on not allowing posters is undemocratic: Cong

Panaji, May 10 (UNI) The Congress today strongly protested Election Commision of India's decision not to allow display of posters and banners for the June 2 elections to the Goa Legislative Assembly, describing it as ''undemocratic''.

The decision, the Congress felt, vitiates the very fundamental principles of democracy. Hence all other political parties should cooperate to impress upon the need for allowing display of banners and posters.

A delegation of Congress leaders, led by AICC secretary Ramachandra Khunti and Shantaram Naik MP, conveyed their views to the Goa's Chief Electoral Officer earlier.

They later told mediapersons that the CEC's circulars and directives were contradictory to each other on the issue as the authorities were taking the cover of the State Public Defacement Act.

The duo said they would prevail upon the Chief Election Officer Dr Querishi during his visit shortly to Goa, pleading with him to allow use of banners and posters to reach the voters at specified places further enhances ''democracy''.

The authorities had earlier prosecuted individuals and parties for displaying election banners and posters after filing first information reports (FIRs) as directed by the Chief Election Commissioner Gopala Swamy during his visit recently.

The authorities opined that the decision would save the candidates of their valuable money as each candidate was authorised to spend only Rs 5 lakh in Goa.

At the same time, the beautiful face of Goa would remain untarnished with the election posters and banners with the public undisturbed under the existing law.

UNI