Poll Code hits sale of publicity materials

Mysuru: As the carnival of democracy comes nearer, political parties try to woo voters in whatever way they can. One among them is to introduce a range of innovative poll-related merchandise – party flags, caps, T-shirts, Khadi shawls, coloured kurtas, party symbol shawls, balloons, key chains and badges with symbols of the Congress, BJP and JD(S) emblazoned on them and masks of popular leaders.

But this election, this merchandise has not yet arrived in the market though parties are finalising their candidates. Thanks to stringent measures taken by the Election Commission and implemented locally by Election Observers and District Authorities, people who manufacture such merchandise have not yet received bulk orders. The Commission has also banned public display of banners, cut-outs, buntings and other publicity materials that deface the city and cause harm to the environment.

Until a few years ago, election seasons were something traders in areas including Shivarampet and Chikka Gadiyara counted on for brisk business. This year, however, there is no demand for political flags and badges.

BUSINESS HIT

City traders dealing with sale of party flags and badges are disappointed as there are no takers for the political publicity materials now.

They have not received any order so far and they say that their business has been hit due to strict enforcement of Model Code of Conduct.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Manjunath, proprietor of Gupta Offset Printers at Vidyaranyapuram said that his press has not received any orders from political parties for publicity materials. “Business might pick up after the candidates file their nominations and we are bound by law to print the materials according to Election Commission guidelines.

H.V. Harish, proprietor of Tech Printers at Chamarajapuram too echoed similar views and said that agencies hired by political parties might approach them as the election dates near. “We will have to strictly adhere to the Election Commission rules,” he said.

ELECTION EXPENDITURE

While traders expect the business to pick up after all the main candidates file their nominations, the Election Commission has decided to include publicity materials too in the election expenditure that has been fixed at Rs. 70 lakh per candidate.

The Election Commission feels that it is important to control and regulate the display of election material and candidates must be both responsible and accountable when using them during campaigning.

“All the expenditure related to campaigns should be accounted for by the candidate and this includes election material as well. The returning officer should be informed on the estimated cost so that the authorities will keep a track of the expenditure. Candidates are allowed to buy election material within their specified budget. Anything over and above the stipulated expenditure will be questioned,” said Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar who is also the District Election Officer and the Returning Officer for Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency.

Guidelines have been issued to all the printers in the Parliamentary seat to mandatorily publish the names of agencies that place orders for publicity materials. Information about each print order must be submitted to the District Administration by printers and publishers as stipulated in ‘B Form’. Separate e-mail IDs have been opened for printers to submit information, he added.

According to Election Commission guidelines, freely distributing election material among the voters is like bribing them. If people support a party, they themselves must volunteer to buy these. Otherwise, the candidate may be forcing it on the voter. This is punishable under the bribery law.

BANNERS BANNED

This election, the Commission has asked political parties to avoid using banners, posters buntings for electioneering. Also, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Election Commission and other central agencies to consider banning use of single-use plastics for election, especially laminated posters that use a plastic film on both sides. When the elections are over such posters are simply thrown away, damaging the environment.

“Municipal laws, which deal with defacement of public places, are strictly implemented during elections, though they are always in force,” said Abhiram Sankar.  Banners and buntings, cut-outs, hoardings advertisements, have been banned and there is no question of parties seeking permission to display such materials, said Additional Commissioner of Mysuru City Corporation Shivanandamurthy.

Political party candidates can display publicity materials at places of rallies and public meetings two hours before the commencement of the meeting after obtaining permission. They must clear the publicity material within two hours after the completion of the event, he said and added that plastic use has been banned in any sort of publicity material.