EC seeks Mayawati’s comments

EC seeks Mayawati’s comments
J. Balaji
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has sought comments from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati by August 12 on a petition alleging that she violated the EC orders by installing permanent structures of the BSP’s election symbol (elephant) and her own statues in various parts of the State on government land at the government’s expense.
The EC has also forwarded a copy of the petition, filed by advocates Ravi Kant and Sukumar, to Ms. Mayawati along with the letter, EC sources said.
The petitioners claimed that the installation of the statues in public places by spending crores from the State exchequer, violating the EC’s order on April 1, 2009, would severely violate the Model Code of Conduct for elections.EC’s order
They quoted the EC’s order which read: “The underlying intention of the [Election] Commission’s instruction was that photographs and images of political functionaries, who have deep influence on minds of electors and many of whom are still active in public life and may even be contesting the current general elections, should not be displayed in government buildings and premises, as that would have the effect of disturbing the level playing field vis-À-vis the political functionaries of other parties and candidates.”
“In this regard,” it added, “the Commission would like to state that the above-mentioned underlying purpose of the instruction needs to be fully appreciated while being acted upon.” Code of conduct
The petitioners alleged that the continued presence of the permanent election symbol and statues during elections would provide a much higher playing ground to the BSP vis-À-vis to other political parties, and seriously hamper the Model Code of Conduct.
The Hindu 6th AUG 09