IT News
Imphal, Feb 18:
As directed by the Manipur High Court in connection with the displaying of hoardings and election-related bill boards among others at government land, the executive officer of the Imphal Municipal Council which is one of the respondents submitted affidavit to the court saying that “Steps shall be taken to see that the aforestated order is compiled with in true letter and spirit. A reply shall be filed in evidence of such compliance by the next date of hearing.
The State authorities and more particularly, the police department, shall render all necessary assistance to the Municipal Corporation in the removal of all such unauthorized hoardings, flexes, signboards etc.”
It said that That, after maximum removal of all the Election banners and hoardings from the streets, the applicant published a notification dated 10/2/2022 in leading local dailies for removal of all the unauthorized hoardings/ advertisements.
However, at present, the advertisements published by the Chief Electoral Officer is yet to be removed. In this regard, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer submitted office letter dated 9/1/2022 to Imphal Municipal Corporation, seeking permission for hoisting up hoardings/ advertisements/ display boards to inform and educate voters towards Covid appropriate behavior. Further, the said letter also indicated that, the advertisement is to spread social messages, educate & facilitate voters, the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur with vision to conduct free, fair, peaceful, participative, accessible, inclusive, transparent, ethical and safe elections.
The affidavit submitted to the court also stated that the office of the Chief Electoral Officer again requested the Imphal Municipal Corporation to allow display of hoardings/advertisements till the completion of the election process i.e. upto 1st Week of March, 2022. Office letter dated 14/2/2022 was submitted to the Imphal Municipal Corporation from the ends of the Chief Electoral Officer.
And thus, at present, the streets under the jurisdiction of IMC are almost free from unauthorized hoardings/ advertisements, accept few advertisements of Chief Electoral Officer.
