Cannot print campaign matter minus poll office nod

All election-related pamphlets,cards and booklets will undergo a thorough scrutiny before they reach voters. And the onus will be on the 150-odd printing agencies to report to election officers before they print any material on a candidate.

With the date for filing of nominations over,the election office has turned its eye on the material that goes into print. It has issued directives to city printing agencies,telling to print nothing without clearance. “It is mandatory for them to show us what goes into the pamphlets. If they don’t they can face six months in jail and a fine of Rs 2000 for violation of the People’s Representatives Act,1951,under section 127,” said a senior official at the district collectorate.

The poll office is also keeping track of expenses. Account officers said that all candidates will have to file their expenses on April 11,16,22 and May 17,after counting. “After the amendment was made,the candidates have to do it only thrice in the period to the polls,” said an official.