Freebies distribution as newspaper inserts violate poll code

Chennai, Mar 22: Cracking the political parties' plans to distribute pamphlets, money and gift coupons as newspaper inserts ahead of the 2011 Apr assembly polls, the Election Commission of India said that these distribution will be taken as the violation poll code.

The Election Commission also apprised newspaper agents not to distribute any pamphlets, money and gift coupons as newspaper inserts. In previous elections, various political parties used gift coupons and currency notes as newspaper inserts and tried to buy the votes.

During a recent meeting in Tamil Nadu, one of the District Revenue Officers C Prakasam said that the administration came to know that political parties were planning to use newspaper agents to distribute freebies as newspaper inserts, which is a violation of poll code.

Administers said that such practices will be treated as violation of poll codes and will attract severe punishment.

OneIndia News