EC instructs police to remove election propaganda from private vehicles

The Election Commission (EC) has instructed police to take immediate action to remove election propaganda promoting candidates on private vehicles as they contravene election laws. 

Issuing a statement, the EC notes that it has received complaints regarding the display of slogans, signs, stickers with photographs, flags promoting a candidate / party on private vehicles including private buses and three wheelers in contravention of election laws following the declaration of the Parliamentary Election. 

Display of such material on vehicles other than those in which the contestant candidate travels is an offence under Section 74 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No.l of 1981, and therefore action should be taken forthwith to remove said materials pasted on private buses, three wheelers and other private vehicles, if any, the Commission added.  

"It is hereby informed that necessary instructions have already been issued to the respective Deputy Inspectors of Police and the Police Qfficers in-charge of the Divisions and through them the Qfficers in-charge of Police Stations to conduct random search patrols covering all police areas to remove aforesaid materials pasted on private vehicles including private buses and three wheelers," the EC states.