NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday barred political parties from using public funds, space and government machinery for publicity and propagation of their election symbol. The Commission’s order comes in the wake of the Delhi high court’s decision asking the EC to issue appropriate guideline, barring parties from using public funds and spaces for publicity. The EC order said utilising public funds and space is antithetical to the concept of free and fair elections and the principle of level playing field for all stakeholders. In 2009, non-government organisation Common Cause approached the Delhi high court seeking the cancellation of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) symbol, elephant, for alleged misuse of public funds by the then Mayawati government. In July, the high court remanded back the matter to the EC following which it sought views of political parties on the issue. Most of the parties which responded supported the idea.
