In light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Pune’s municipal authorities have initiated measures to ban political slogans and symbols painted on private walls across the city. This decision comes as part of the enforcement of the model code of conduct, aimed at promoting fairness and ethical standards in election campaigning.
Initially, the wall paintings displaying slogans and symbols of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced criticism from opposition parties and citizens alike. Despite the initial inaction from the municipal administration, the implementation of the code of conduct has led to a crackdown on such activities.
City BJP office bearers were responsible for painting private walls with party slogans and symbols, but these actions have now been deemed violations of ethical standards under the code of conduct for elections.
Government bodies and officials have been instructed to cover up political symbols and slogans not only in government buildings and public spaces but also on private premises. This includes addressing the ‘Booth Chalo’ campaign initiated by the BJP, which involved painting party symbols and slogans on walls.
To ensure compliance, municipal bodies, village councils, and local authorities have been directed to strictly adhere to the code of conduct. Walls adorned with political messages are set to be covered up, and political advertisements and hoardings in public areas will be promptly removed.
Moreover, private premises displaying unauthorized political symbols and slogans will undergo removal within 24 hours. Non-compliance will result in administrative action, with costs recovered from responsible parties and legal repercussions imposed.
Dr. Suhas Diwase, the Collector and District Election Officer, has urged citizens to report any violations through the C-Vigil app, emphasizing the importance of upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
The swift action taken by Pune’s municipal authorities underscores a commitment to fair and ethical campaigning practices, ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent and free from undue influence.
