Inform us if hoardings or banner violates code of conduct: HC to Election Commission

Chennai: Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission to inform it if banners or hoardings put up by political parties on roadsides, but not at venues of their meetings, constituted a violation of the model code of conduct and if so, what action has to be taken. [caption id=“attachment_2727176” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] ayaram Jayalalitha (C), leader of the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) state political party, addresses a campaign rally in Chennai. Getty Images[/caption] The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M M Sundaresh, gave the order on a PIL by ‘Traffic’ Ramasamy, who sought a direction to derecognise the two leaves ruling party symbol as entire stretches of roads outside meeting areas were allegedly fully put up with banners and hoardings, which, he contended was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, in force before the 16 May polls. When the matter came up before the bench, the government pleader submitted that the Returning Officer had granted permission to hold the meetings. After hearing the Government pleader’s submission, the bench said, “however, we find from photographs that hoardings have been put on the roadside, but not in the meeting area. The Election Commission should inform us whether this amounts to a violation (of model code) and what action has been taken if it is in violation.” The bench then posted the matter for hearing to 24 April.