Districts directed to enforce Prevention of Defacement of Properties Act

Bhopal: The Election Commission of India has directed returning officers and district collectors in 29 Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh to ensure enforcement of Prevention of Defacement of Properties Act. Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has dents directives received from the commission in this regard to all ROs and district collectors.

ROs and district collectors have been directed to enforce the Act their subordinate staff. They have been asked to inform all police station in-charges, flying squads and static surveillance teams ensure effective enforcement of the Act. It has also been said that that the department, which owns concerning property should also ensure compliance of model code of conduct and Prevention of Defacement of Properties Act. If concerning officer in-charge of any department does not ensure does not take any action in this regard then action as per law should be taken against him.

In its directives issued on March 11, the commission has clarified about Prevention of Defacement of Properties Act and the use of flags and other electioneering material by political parties and candidates. It has been said explicitly in the directives that Act should be enforced strictly in the states where it exists.

The commission has clarified that Act’s provisions should be enforced strictly in the state where government/Act clearly bans display of flags, banners, hoardings etc. Such things should not be displayed on private and public property there. According to the commission, in the states where Prevention of Defacement of Property Act is not in force, flags, banners, hoardings etc. can be displayed on private houses or properties with occupier or landlord’s permission. The commission has directed to apprise concerning officers, police and political parties about its directives.