The Assistant Commissioner and Officer in charge of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) cell has noted that several candidates have deployed vehicles that display political flags without having first obtained permission to do so.
In a notice today, the official said that prior permission has to be received from the concerned Returning Officer and that failure to do so while displaying political flags on vehicles “is a blatant violation of law”.
The notice stated that political flags, banners, bunting, etc may be put up on private property so long as the property owners’ consent has been received and given of their own volition, voluntarily and without any pressure from party, organisation or person and only if their display does not cause inconvenience to anyone else.
Banners and flags that “aim to solicit” votes for any candidate will fall foul of the law.
On vehicles, flags, banners and stickers “of big size” can be put on vehicles only with prior permission. The permits for the vehicles being used by the candidates will be issued by the District Magistrate/Returning Officer and these must be displayed on the windscreen of the vehicles.
Any vehicle used for campaigning without due authorization/permit shall be deemed to be unauthorisedly campaigning for the candidate and may attract penal provisions of the Indian Penal Code and be immediately withdrawn from campaigning.
All flags, vehicles, banners or other electioneering material being used by candidates have to be duly accounted for in their day-to-day expenditure. Failure to do so will attract action under Section 77 of the Representation of People Act 1951.
Sector Officers have been instructed to take strict action against erring vehicles that do not display their permits, both for the vehicle and for the flag/banner/sticker.
