The Election Commission’s restriction on campaigning materials of the political parties has badly affected the sale of hoardings during lok Sabha polls in the State capital.
With the election just 20 days away as voting for the state’s 14 parliamentary constituencies take place on April 10, 17 and 24, manufactures have recorded a sharp drop of 50 per cent in the sale of hoardings as compared to the last lok Sabha election.
Election season for hoarding makers of the city was something counted as doing a brisk business. A hoarding maker at Harmu colony Jagarnath Mahto explaining his ordeal said, “Earlier I used to receive order of designing hoardings of different political parties in bulk but this time it is vice versa. Election is round the corner and I have been asked to design couple of poster for Babulal Maradi’s party (JVM-P) only.”
Echoing him another artisan Mohan Kumar at Kutchery Chowk added, “During elections we use to earn money in thousands but this year parties are showing least interest in spending penny on campaigning materials.If one takes a walk round the city one will find that the number of hoardings placed is comparatively less than those set up in the last election.”
Interestingly, the poll panel has issued an order to all deputy commissioners in which have asked to ensure banners, posters, hoardings or other such items used for publicity by the political parties’ carry the information about its manufacture and publishers. A letter containing identification proof and proclaiming that particular batch of posters, hoardings or pamphlets was prepared by a publisher will have to be self-attested by the publisher in the presence of two witnesses and then will be forwarded to the office of Chief Electoral Officer’s office for his final approval.
An ad agency Imaging design member Anil Kumar who is responsible for placing Congress Party hoardings said, “It is true that that the sale of hoardings across the city is quiet dull. Earlier, we used to receive contract for one month campaigning but this time it is only for 15 days. Moreover, the income has also gone down to nearly 30 per cent. Providing hoardings to corporate sectors counts more profitable than we get from political parties during general election.”
He further added, “This election has bagged with it lots of surprise. During election we use to earn extra money but this it is sharing a different story. In last election we were suffering from space crunch for putting up the hoardings but this time it is vice versa.”
Meanwhile, when the political parties were enquired over the reason behind it they were found blaming the election commission restrictions.
Mahanagar Congress Spokeperson Saroj Kumar said, “Poll panels restrictions and a new trend of campaigning has led to the adverse impact of the sale of the items.”
Rajeev Ranjan Prasad of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) said, “We have received only Rs70 lakh from the election commission for campaigning process and other expenses. This time we have decided to invest more money in campaigning innovative way.