Amid freebies debate, EC bans parties from distributing sarees, shirts during rallies

The Election Commission issued fresh set of instructions to restrict the freebies culture. The commission banned distribution of apparel like saree, shirts etc by a party or a candidate during rallies and campaigns. It also disallowed the use of educational institutions including their grounds for political campaigns and rallies.

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Wednesday has said that all political parties should get equal opportunity to have access to earmarked space for election related advertisements during the poll period. The Commission also banned sarees and shirts as gifts during rallies. The Commission said that educational institutions including their grounds (whether government-aided, private or government) shall not be used for political campaigns and rallies. "If there is a specifically earmarked place provided for displaying advertisements in a public place and if such space is already let out to any agency for further allocation to individual clients, the district election officer through the municipal authority concerned, if any, should ensure that all political parties and candidates get an equitable opportunity to have access to such advertisement space," said the Commission.

For advertisements at private places, if the local law does not expressly permit wall writing, pasting of posters, and similar other permanent or semi-permanent defacement which is not easily removable, the same shall not be resorted to under any circumstances, even on the pretext of having obtained the consent of the owner of the property, said the Election Commission.

The Commission has clearly said that nothing inflammatory or which is likely to incite disaffection amongst the community shall be permissible in such writings and displays.

The Commission said that in processions and rallies, wearing of cap, mask, or scarf supplied by a party or candidate may be permitted. However, the supply of apparel like saree, shirts etc by a party or a candidate is not permitted.