Gujarat: Poll officials remove code-violating material

Gandhinagar, Oct 18: Election officials have removed nearly 2.5 lakh hoardings, posters, wall writings and banners from across the state of Gujarat ever since the model code of conduct (MCC) came into effect in the state ahead of the crucial assembly polls this December.

Rajkot district was the focal point of the operation where 1.5 lakh offending material was removed while the number stood at 32,727 in Ahmedabad. Dang, with the corresponding figure of 33, saw the minimum of action. Chief electoral officer Anita Karwal said it was a cat-and-mouse game going on for each time they removed the material, some people were putting them up again.

Four FIRs have been registered in rajkot, Vadodara and Surat districts for the violation of the MCC. Two FIRs were also lodged in Amreli and Vadodara on charges of wooing voters.

The Elecrion Commission is learnt to have prepared training module to educate candidates and officials on MCC and expenditure monitoring. The modules will be made available in the forms of Cds and presentations. Besides, police personnel right down to the constables will also be trained on the matter. So far, 103 master trainers have been put into place, at the level of the DSPs and inspectors.

The election officials will also approach the Election Commission over the doubts raised from various quarters on the content of the NaMo channel. It is being held that the programme which is being televised on the channel comprise recordings of various programmes of the Gujarat government. Questions are being raised whether it is permissible.

OneIndia News