After taking note of poll advisor K.J. Rao’s scathing report on the violation of the model code of conduct in Bihar at a meeting, the Election Commission today directed the RJD and other parties (read BJP and Lok Janashakti Party) to remove their hoardings, banners, cut-out and arches put up on public and private properties.Still upset with the RJD’s activities in poll-bound Bihar, an unrelenting EC has also directed the state chief secretary to enquire into the matter ‘‘as to how public property was allowed to be defaced in violation of the Bihar Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1985’’.The Commission had sent Rao to Bihar after taking suo motu action against RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav for distributing Rs 100 notes among voters. Rao’s report gave a detailed account of the violation of the model code of conduct by the RJD in the run-up to a ‘‘Maha Rally’’ in Patna and other parts of the state.The Bihar chief secretary has been told to submit a report to the EC by December 31, ‘‘fixing responsibility on the officers concerned for their acts of omission and commission’’.He has also been asked to obtain the explanations of the officers responsible and forward their names to the Commission by January 5.If that is not enough, the EC has asked the Bihar government to fix the penalty of violation of the Defacement of Public Property Act and recover it from the political party concerned (in other words, the RJD).Even the payment incurred by the state to remove the hoardings, cut-outs etc has to be paid by the political parties before January 14. The EC has also expressed displeasure with the Railway Board. It has asked the board chairman to find out how railway property was allowed to be defaced. The board has been told to submit a report by December 31.
