Summary:
The direction was based as per the instruction of the Election Commission of India and will be in force till the model code of conduct is in force. "We have given a direction in this regard to the government," CEO Surendra Kumar said while addressing a press conference on Sunday.Official sources said the CEO, in a recent letter to the chief secretary, suggested the issue of suitable instruction in this regard. "It is also requested that all departments may be instructed to suitably identify and appoint nodal officers at the state, district, sub-divisional, block and gram panchayat level to ensure immediate compliance," it said. BHUBANESWAR: The office of the state chief electoral officer (CEO) has directed all government offices and official websites to remove or delete display of photographs, calenders, pictures of the Prime Minister, the chief minister, ministers and other political functionaries within 24 hours of the model code of conduct coming into force after the announcement of the poll schedule on Sunday. "All departments of the government may suitably be instructed to identify the places, buildings or official website and prepare a database where the photographs of all the aforementioned political functionaries find a place so that the same can be removed or deleted within 24 hours of the model code of conduct coming into force," the CEO said in his letter..