Intensifying its drive against unauthorised poll campaign materials, the district administration has removed 44,179 campaign materials including posters, banners and flags from the nine assembly constituencies in Kottayam district.
As many as 18 anti-defacement squads, each comprising a team leader, police officer, two assistants and a videographer, have been deployed in the district.
With the electioneering reaching a crescendo, the squads are operating on a round the clock basis to ensure strict compliance to the norms laid down by the Election Commission.
Besides voluntary checking, action is being initiated on getting information from the public on defacement attempts.
The materials put up in private properties are being removed after verification of the consent letters issued by the property owner to the District Election authority through the village officers or squads concerned.
Fraudulent practice
Meanwhile, the drive also unearthed the fraudulent practice of a people issuing fake consent letters to advertisement companies for putting up display boards in Purambokku land.
The squads also removed several posters and banners from a property owned by the Railway department in Kottayam. On Saturday, Subcollector Eesha Priya inaugurated a voter awareness programme, organised by the SVEEP, in association with the Shuchitwa Mission and the National Service Scheme, at the Amal Jyothi Engineering College, Kanjirappally.
The programme was aimed at ensuring 100% voter participation and ensure effective implementation of the green protocol norms for the election.
Ashok Alex Lukose, nodal officer, SVEEP, delivered the keynote address while Z.V. Lakapparambil, principal of the college, presided over.
Green protocol
Noble Xavier Jose, programme officer, Shuchitwa mission, elaborated on the green protocol norms.
The programme was followed by a home visit by the college students to raise awareness on voting.