The Tribune Impact: Admn cracks down on political ads on vehicles

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, August 30

The local administration has begun removing advertisements and posters from private vehicles — including autorickshaws — as part of a campaign to prevent the defacement of public and private property under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) imposed after the notification of the state Assembly elections.

The Tribune reported on the issue in its August 26 article titled “Model code norms flouted as vehicles promote political parties through ads”.

According to reports, the authorities have removed over 25,000 posters, banners and pamphlets displayed at public spots such as electricity poles, road dividers and building walls across the city and district. However, action against publicity material on autorickshaws and private commercial vehicles was only taken in the past two days, following The Tribune’s report.

With over 20,000 autorickshaws in the city, it has been revealed that none have obtained permission or licences from the civic body or any authority to display such advertisements, and the violations had gone unnoticed until they were highlighted.

Despite these efforts, the problem of illegal advertisements and posters related to the election process persists, with many roads in various localities still displaying a large number of posters. Most of these are from ticket aspirants hoping to contest the elections.

“Activists and supporters of various candidates and ticket aspirants have been putting up their material again after removal by the authorities,” says Narender Sirohi, a resident, who called for stricter action against such violations.

An official from the district administration stated that a significant amount of material has been removed in the past two weeks as directed by the District Election Officer. He also emphasised that no advertising material related to government schemes and achievements would be allowed in any public place until the elections are over.

Gaurav Antil, Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation Faridabad, confirmed that action against violations was ongoing as per the norms specified under the Model Code of Conduct.