In complete disregard of the Election Commission directive banning the use of plastic-made flags and buntings in the election campaign, political parties in Himachal Pradesh are openly flouting the order. Colourful plastic-made jhandis of the Congress, BJP, Himachal Vikas Congress and other smaller parties, seem to be making a mockery of the EC directive.When contacted, Chief Electoral Officer Manisha Nanda told The Indian Express that though the administration has taken note of the violations, no ‘‘specific complaints have been received’’. She said a close watch will be maintained. State-owned buses used to display BJP banners SHIMLA: In what appears to be gross violation of the model code of conduct, some buses of the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HPRTC) have been spotted supporting banners and flags of the ruling BJP while plying on various routes in the state. What’s more, the buses are doing the rounds right under the nose of the state election authorities. One such bus, bearing registration number HP-10-0386, was spotted and shot by The Indian Express team in the Rohru Assembly constituency. It carried a poster of the BJP bearing photographs of Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and BJP candidate Khushi Ram Balnatah. The bus, carrying passengers, was being used by the BJP to display its publicity material. There have also been complaints regarding the use of official buildings and other vehicles by the party. The Opposition Congress has filed a complaint with the State Election Commission authorities regarding alleged violations of the code of conduct by the BJP. (ENS) The EC had set February 10 as the deadline for removal of such flags and other material. The deadline is long gone but the authorities are yet to initiate action against the violators.Deputy Commissioners were asked to issue notices to parties on the non-compliance of the EC directive. All such violative material was to be removed with expenses charged on the respective party.But till now, no party has been fined though notices have been issued to some of them as well as to candidates contesting the elections. Political parties defend themselves saying that sometimes workers and supporters, in their enthusiasm, use the prohibited material, despite their best intentions.NGOs had earlier raised the matter with the EC, following which the ban orders were issued. ‘‘Yet political parties are paying scant regard to the ban,’’ Sushil Tanwar, Convenor of Ashadeep, an NGO, said.
