JOIN USAhead of the May 5 Assembly elections, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken up a drive against illegal wall writings, posters, banners and graffiti in public places.
With model code of conduct in place, BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah, who is also the district election officer, held a meeting with zonal commissioners and district revenue officers directing them to remove all political advertisements from public places and book cases against those indulging in such acts under the Prevention of Disfigurement of Public Places Act.
Besides asking them to book those indulging in inciting communal passion or practising divisive politics to garner votes, he also instructed them to ensure that no political posters are displayed near places of worship.
Permission
Officers have been asked to verify whether political parties possess necessary permission from owners of properties where they put up banners, posters and graffiti.
Following the directions, commissioners of eight zones have launched an extensive drive against illegal publicity material.
While political parties have started removing illegal banners and posters, at Govindaraj Nagar and Sarvajna Nagar, election officers noticed violation of model code of conduct. At Govindaraj Nagar, the Congress had organised a party enrolment drive without requisite permission. Likewise, BJP, which held a similar drive at Sarvajna Nagar did not have permission from Election Commission.
BBMP has set up election control rooms where people can lodge their complaints. Citizens can contact these control rooms by dialling: 080-22975500, 22975583, 22270142, 22270143, 22270148 and 22270149.