Jamshedpur got into election mode soon on Thursday after the date for lok Sabha polls was announced by the Election Commission of India.
East Singhbhum district administration initiated a massive drive to remove illegal hoardings and posters from different roads and roundabout of the city. Taking serious note of a large number of hoardings and billboards put up throughout the city, the three local urban bodies namely Jamshedpur notified area committee (JNAC), Jugsalai municipality and Mango notified area committee (MNAC) launched the drive on Thursday.
More than 250 hoardings and banners from different areas were from JNAC area from Sakchi Straight Mile Road, Bhalubasa, Agrico, Sidhgora and Baridih, and near MGM Hospital. In Jugsalai and Mango around 200 hoardings had been removed. Anil Kumar Rai who is the nodal officer of the drive to remove hoardings said that initially they would be removing the political hoardings. Cases will be lodged against political parties found indulging in wall graffiti or putting hoardings under provision of code of conduct,” he said.
The election for Jamshedpur lok Sabha (General category) seat would be held on April 17. Preparation has been made for peaceful poll in all the 1626 polling booths,” said Amitabh Kaushal who is also the returning officer of the Jamshedpur constituency.
As per the schedule declared by ECI, the election notification will issued on March 19. Candidates of political parties can file their nomination till March 26. Candidates nomination papers will be scrutinised on March 27 while the last date of withdrawal of candidature is on March 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 16 at Jamshedpur Cooperative College which will be the strong room. The DC East Singhbhum said that after announcements of elections the model code of conduct has been enforced and the parties should strictly adherence to the model code of conduct.
He said the parties should immediately remove their publicity banners and hoardings from the city. Moreover none of the political party can organise any meeting or procession without any prior permission. “We will make sure that the model code of conduct is implemented in letter and spirit and any lapses on the part of the parties would invite stern actions,” said district official. According to the information, political parties have engaged an army of workers to pull down the existing thousands of hoardings, banners and posters in the city.