The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) removed around 7,000 political hoardings, flags, buntings and kiosks, from various localities of the city after the model election code of conduct came into force with the announcement of Lok Sabha election schedule on Sunday evening.

LMC employees also began removing political wall writings from government and private buildings as no political material would be allowed to be displayed till May 23, the day the Lok Sabha election results are declared.

Additional municipal commissioner Amit Kumar said, “LMC started removing the political material, including wall writings, 48 hours ago. We speeded up the work minutes after the Lok Sabha elections were announced by the Election Commission on Sunday.”

“Hoardings were removed from the airport road, Charbagh, Lohia Path, Gomti Nagar, Metro office crossing, Polythecnic crossing on Faizabad Road, Badshah Nagar road, Nishatganj road, Kanpur Road, Aminabad, Qaiserbagh, Chowk and Thakurganj in Lucknow,” Kumar said.

“Directives have come from the Election Commission to remove any political material from government and private buildings,” he said.

Election Commission officials explained, “The reason for the removal of all hoardings is to allow a level playing field to all political parties and try to make sure the ruling party does not have an advantage over others when it comes to campaigning.”

Similarly, the distribution of government publicity booklets will no longer be allowed, the officials said.

LMC officials said they expected around 2,000 more political wall writings, kiosks, boards and hoardings in the city to be removed within 24 hours.

Those who want to put up political material will have to take permission from the municipal corporation, said officials.

Besides, municipal corporation officials cannot sanction any development work till May 23.

Removal of 2,000 more in 24 hrs

“The reason for the removal of all hoardings is to allow a level playing field to all political parties and try to make sure the ruling party does not have an advantage over others when it comes to campaigning,” said EC officials.

LMC officials said they expected around 2,000 more political wall writings, kiosks, boards and hoardings in the city to be removed within 24 hours.

“LMC started removing the political material, including wall writings, 48 hours ago. We speeded up the work minutes after the Lok Sabha elections were announced by the EC on Sunday,” said Amit Kumar, additional municipal commissioner.

First Published: Mar 11, 2019 16:11 IST