CPI(M) to seek EC guideline on poll campaign

Kolkata, Feb 24 (UNI) The CPI (M) today called for a national guideline from the Election Commission on the modes of poll campaign with restrictions put on wall graffiti.

" I will write to the Election Commission requesting for a comprehensive national guideline which all states will abide by, " party state unit Secretary Anil Biswas said.

He said he was expecting a reply from the EC by Tuesday.

His comments came a day after the State Government banned wall writing in the state extending the ambit of the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1976 barring graffiti on the walls of Government and private buildings.

The order followed an inquiry by the EC to the state Chief Secretary as to whether the Act, already in force in the Kolkata Municipal area, could be extended to the whole state.

According to EC, doing away with poll graffiti will help better supervision of campaign expenses and avoid clashes among political parties over the rights over walls.

Mr Biswas said since 1976 the EC and the State Government had issued altogether five orders on wall writing and the party would ask the EC as to which order a party should follow.

Earlier in the day, veteran CPI(M) leader Jyoti Basu today said the party would abide by the state government's instruction banning wall writing.

" Let us receive the Election Commission notice first. Besides the banning of wall writing, we will have to see whether the Commission has slapped any other directive, " Mr Basu told newspersons after attending the state committee meeting here.

" We will take up the matter in our next state committee meeting once we receive the EC's notice," Mr Basu informed.

Prior to the Assembly elections, the West Bengal Government yesterday banned wall writing throughout the state.

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