Bhubaneswar: As the Election Commission announced the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the Model Code of Conduct came into effect and the district administration, along with the police, began removing hoardings in full force across the State.
Meanwhile, the Grievance Cell of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will remain closed from today (March 11) till the end of the election process. The Odisha CMO communiqué also stated the same.
The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct states that “hoardings and advertisements, which seek votes or purport to project achievements of any living political figure or party and which carry their photos, name or party symbol, should be removed as no political functionary or political party can use public resources and incur or authorize expenditure from the public exchequer to eulogize himself or a political party or enhance their own or any other political leader’s personal image. Such hoardings and advertisements undoubtedly amount to their individual/party election campaign at public cost.”
The eviction drive to remove all banners and posters of political parties and their leaders began last evening itself. The Enforcement team under the direction of District Election Officer removed hoardings from the Bada Danda area in Puri. Similarly in Bhubaneswar, officials of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed banners of both central and state governments from several key places. Posters and banners in Balasore and Cuttack also faced a similar fate. All hoardings are to be removed within 24 hours, informed officials.
While the general elections will be conducted across the country in seven phases, Odisha will go to polls in four phases. Odisha will vote for the 21 Lok Sabha and 147 assembly seats from April 11 to April 29.
Notably, the Election Commission of India yesterday announced the election dates and accordingly, the simulataneous elections for both Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly will be conducted in four phases in the state.
Meanwhile, the BJP Monday brought allegations against BJD on violation of the model code of conduct.
A delegation of the Saffron Party met the CEO at his office here and submitted a memorandum alleging that the ruling party is yet to remove several hoardings highlighting its welfare schemes. They also alleged that in most of the PDS outlets, four LED bulbs are being provided to each poor household free of cost under ‘Ama Ghare LED Light Karyakrama’ scheme of the state government.
