NT NETWORK

PANAJI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has imposed restrictions on printing and publishing election pamphlets and posters under the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, to be followed ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The commission has further issued guidelines to printing houses, and political party representatives regarding the restrictions.

As per the guidelines, no person shall print/publish or cause to be printed/published, any election pamphlet or poster which does not bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer; no person shall print or cause to be printed any election pamphlet or poster- (i) unless a declaration as to the identity of the publisher signed by him and attested by two persons to whom he is personally known (ii) unless, within a reasonable time after the printing of the document, one copy of the declaration is sent by the printer together with one copy of the document.

Any process for multiplying copies of a document, other than copying it by hand, shall be deemed to be printing and the expression ‘printer’ shall be constructed accordingly.

‘Election pamphlet or poster’ means any printed pamphlet, handbill or other document distributed, states the press communiqué issued here.

Any person found contravening the provisions will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine which may extend to two thousands rupees or with both, adds the release.