‘For free and fair polls’: Puducherry govt bans ‘defacement’ of properties during assembly elections

New Delhi: The Puducherry government has banned defacement of public and private properties ahead of the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections. According to a notification issued by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, no political party, candidate or supporter shall put up posters, write slogans, paint symbols or erect banners, hoardings or arches in public places or private properties visible to the public.The Lieutenant Governor is the constitutional head of the federal territory. The order follows the directives of the Election Commission and aims to ensure free and fair elections while maintaining law and order. These restrictions will remain in place until the end of the election, with the exception of voter awareness programs under the SVEEP initiative. Polling for all 30 Puducherry Assembly seats is scheduled to take place on April 9 and counting of votes will be on May 4.