Laloo Yadav

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Dec. 26 directed the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other parties in Bihar to remove all poll-related hoardings from public and private property.

The direction was issued at a meeting of the commission here to review the report submitted by its advisor K.J. Rao, who toured Bihar last week to probe violation of model code of conduct for election that came into force Dec. 17.

The commission’s order is seen as a tame finale to what seemed to be a fiery stand-off between the poll panel and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who heads the RJD.

It had earlier slapped charges of bribery and issued a notice to Lalu Prasad, threatening to de-recognize his party after he was shown on TV distributing money to people attending his election rally in Bihar on Dec. 18.

Lalu Prasad had denied the allegations of violation of election code in his reply filed on Dec. 24.

The report submitted by Rao noted that other political parties like the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had violated the Bihar Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1985.

The two parties were also asked to remove their hoardings and banners immediately, an Election Commission statement said here.

The commission directed Bihar’s chief secretary and the Railway Board chairman to probe how public property was allowed to be defaced and submit a report by Dec 31.

It also asked the Bihar government to fix a penalty for violation of the Bihar Prevention of Defacement of Property Act and recover the same from political parties.