UP: Billboards of political parties, posters removed as code of conduct enters into force

Authorities have started removing signs and posters put up by political parties across Uttar Pradesh as the model code of conduct went into effect with the Election Commission announcing polling dates for the state. The commission announced on Saturday a seven-phase vote in the state starting February 10. The counting of the votes will take place in March, with four more states linked to the ballot.

Voting will take place on February 10, February 14, February 20, February 23, February 27, March 3 and March 7. It will move from the western part of the state to the east.

“The model code of conduct has been implemented in the state and will be followed. All district magistrates (district election officials) have been tasked with implementing the model code of conduct. They will send their reports regularly. Chief Electoral Officer Ajay Kumar Shukla told PTI on Sunday.

Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash said that as directed by the Election Commission of India, the model code of conduct has been implemented and will be strictly adhered to. Instructions for the model code of conduct have been sent to Lucknow’s municipal commissioner, he said.

Following this, teams from the Lucknow Municipal Corporation were seen removing banners and posters as early as Saturday.

Reports from Basti indicate that the administration has started removing banners, posters and billboards from various locations in the district. District Magistrate Saumya Agarwal said political party banners and posters on public property were being removed.

Similar reports have been received from Etawah and Farrukhabad.

The Model Code is a set of guidelines, issued by the Election Commission, to political parties, candidates, government and ruling party during elections regarding speeches, announcements, election manifestos and general conduct.

It includes restrictions on banners and posters on private property without prior authorization and stipulates that signs and advertisements put up at the expense of the public treasury describing the achievements of the ruling party must be immediately removed by the authorities.