Sunday, December 26 2004 17:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Taking serious note of defacement of Patna ahead of RJD's (Rashtriya Janata Dal) rally, the Election Commission today (Dec 26, 2004) directed RJD and other parties to remove all hoardings, banners and posters before December 30.

The Commission has also decided to direct the Chief Secretary to fix the penalty for violation and recover the same from the concerned political parties.

Acting on a report by EC Advisor K J Rao on the violation of Model Code of Conduct by RJD, the EC directed RJD and other parties to remove all hoardings, banners, posters, cut-outs, arches that have been erected or pasted before December 30.

The Commission has also decided to direct the Chief Secretary to enquire into the matter as to how the public property was allowed to be defaced in violation of the Bihar Prevention of Defacement of Property Act and send a report and fix the responsibility on the officers concerned for their acts of omission and commission by December 31.

The Chief Secretary has also been asked to obtain the explanations of the officers responsible and forward the same to the Commission by January five, an EC press note said.