PM’s photos on hoardings at petrol pumps violate model code of conduct, EC tells BMC

Mumbai: Photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on hoardings at petrol pumps are violative of the model code of conduct and they should be removed immediately, the State Election Commission (SEC) has said. Accordingly, it has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ensure compliance of its instructions in its jurisdiction during the municipal polls.

In a letter to all district collectors and municipal commissioners, the SEC has said publishing such photographs in government advertisements is not permissible under Model Code of Conduct and Election Commission instructions and also asked them to remove or cover such advertisements with immediate effect.

“During the model code of conduct period, there is a ban on advertisements, which are published at government expenses. Publishing photographs of party leaders in such advertisements is also prohibited. Hence, the advertisements having photographs of Prime Minister, Chief Minister and other leaders on petrol pumps in areas, where code of conduct is implemented due to Municipal Corporation, Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, should be removed or covered,” said the EC in its order.

The SEC had earlier received complaints about hoardings with photographs of the Prime Minister being displayed at petrol pumps.