EC bans sale of Himachal free ration carry bags with Vajpayee picture

Shimla : The chief election commissioner of India on Sunday ordered the banning of free PDS carry bags bearing the picture of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee  across Himachal Pradesh ahead of the assembly polls on Nov 4 .

“Henceforth no PDS bags will be issued with pictures of political leaders in the state,” V S Sampat , CEC told reporters .

“We are taking this step after opposition parties complained to us today . The CEC feels the sale of these bags will not make it a level playing field for all parties ,” Sampat said .

All the three members of the EC are here in preparation for the assembly polls on Nov 4 .Earlier in the EC held a high level meeting with state government officials incharge of polls .

“We have also received complaints of the local Doordarshan kendra’s partial reporting . We will take this matter up with the I & B ministry ,” said the CEC .

The EC this time plans monitoring paid news , surrogate advertisements .

“To check paid news menace we have set up a three tier body to stop and take action against violators and dispose off complaints within 96 hours ,” the CEC said .

“As we have received complaints of possible unauthorised entering of people within 200 metres of the election booths. Instructions have been issued to all to look into this ,” he said .

The EC said it had not received complaints of bogus votes of Tibetan refugees and Nepali nationals in the state .