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Civic officials turn blind eye to poll code violations

Also, party flag posts and statues of political leaders are kept uncovered indicating poor implementation of model code in Chennai.

Chennai: In a blatant violation of model code of conduct, a few corporation councillors in South Chennai are using ward office for party and personal use.

Also, party flag posts and statues of political leaders are kept uncovered indicating poor implementation of model code in Chennai. DC found several corporation councillors parking their private vehicles in their ward offices despite the model code of conduct. While the offices of MLAs and MPs were found locked and sealed, corporation officials seem to be relaxed when it comes to the councillors.

For instance, political business by the ruling party men in ward 138 corporation office was as usual. The councillor’s office was found locked without any mandatory seal and the SUVs owned by local politicians were seen parked full time in the poll sensitized area.

Similarly, ward office 58 was also found without any seal and statutory warnings hinting model code. “Not only is the local councillor’s office functioning but also party flags and symbols are left without any defacement. In most of Ashok Nagar and Jafferkhanpet only the wall painting and graffitis have been defaced, ignoring party flag masts, said RTI activist R. Gopalakrishnan.

“Strict guidelines of election commission prohibiting wall posters, banners, hoardings and graffiti have robbed the election of its fervor. The only visible political symbol for a party is flag masts and these should be exempted,” said Aarni Sreenivasan, district secretary, Puthiya Needhi Katchi. “Covering the flag masts does not make any sense, as candidates carry party flags during campaign and there is no logic in this,” he added.

“In most of the case, the local junior engineer office and the councillor office is often located in the same premises and we cannot prevent ward representatives from entering the corporation office,” a corporation engineer said adding that closure of MLA and MP offices are often easy as they do not house any other government departments.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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