EC asks Tripura political parties to follow campaign guidelines

Agartala, Jan 10 (UNI) Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan has asked the political parties in Tripura to strictly follow the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in the poll campaigns.

Addressing a meeting of political parties here yesterday, Mr Balakrishnan pointed out that some of the flags and festoons for the campaigns were put above eight feet height and non-biodegradable items used for the purpose, which was not permissible in the ECI guidelines.

He asked state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr G S G Ayyanger to issue necessary instructions with regard to the procedures and norms of election campaigns for the political parties, official sources said here today.

''Otherwise, I am satisfied with the poll preparations as well as the report on the general law and order situation in the state and I will convey the views and demands of the political parties to the ECI for conducting a model election in Tripura,'' Mr Balakrishnan stated.

While assuring timely holding of the polls, he said the Assembly elections would be held before the tenure of the existing Assembly was over and said the ECI would announce the poll schedule for all the three North Eastern (NE) states - Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland - soon.

Mr Balakrishnan also reviewed the election preparations and held meetings with state Chief Secretary Shashi Prakash, Director General of Police (DGP) KTD Singh, political parties and election officials.

Meanwhile, the state election department published the final photo electoral rolls today and Tripura set a record of cent per cent photo electoral rolls in the country.

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