It has come to the notice of the office of the Assistant Commissioner & Officer I/c Model Code of Conduct Cell  that several candidates  are deploying  vehicles  that display  flags of political nature without having  obtained  due authorisation from the concerned  Returning  Officer. This is a blatant violation of law. Therefore, the following provisions have been invoked in case this is seen any further:

1.      Use of Party Flags/Banners by Party Workers at their  Residences

i) Subject to restrictions under Motor Vehicle Act and court orders in force, the political parties, candidates, their agents, workers and supporters may put up banners, buntings,  flags, cut-outs, on their own property,  provided  they do so on their own volition,  voluntarily and without any pressure from  any  party,   organization   or  person,   and  provided  further  that  these  do  not  cause   any inconvenience  in any manner  to anyone else. If such display of banners, flags etc., aims to solicit vote for any particular candidate, then the provisions of Section 171H of the Indian Penal Code would be attracted and necessary action would be taken under the said provision.

(ii) No person shall put any flag or banner or sticker of big size on any vehicle except with prior permission of the Competent Authority, and subject to the relevant provisions of law and court direction/orders, if any.

2. The permits for the vehicles being used by the candidates will be issued by the District Magistrate/Returning Officer. They shall display the permits issued on the wind-screen of the vehicles.

                     Any vehicle used for campaigning without due authorization/ permit, shall be deemed to be unauthorisedly campaigning for the candidate and may attract penal provisions of Chapter IX A of the Indian Penal Code. It shall immediately be taken out of the campaigning exercise.

3. All Flags/ Vehicles/Banners/Other electioneering material being used by the candidates have to be duly accounted for in the day-to-day expenditure of the candidate. A failure to do so shall attract action under Section 77 of the Representation of People Act 1951.

            Sector Officers have been instructed to take strict action against erring vehicles that do not display their permit, both for the vehicle and for the flag/banner/sticker.