AFFIXING POSTERS ON PUBLIC OR PROPERTY PROPERTY IS AN OFFENCE AND WOULD ATTRACT CONTEMPT ACTION

The Madras High Court warned the upcoming Tamil Nadu local body elections candidates to not affix posters on private and public property without prior permission. 

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy warned that if anyone is found violating the order would face contempt action. They will be prosecuted under the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959. Further, such candidates would be made to cover the cost of removal of these posters. 

The HC was hearing a plea by candidate P Arumugam, who filed a complaint against an opponent belonging to the ruling party for affixing his posters over his posters. 

Counsel for the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission and the Greater Chennai Corporation argued that affixing such posters in public or private property, without permission, is an offence under the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act. The same is a breach of the circular issued by the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission on November 30, 2021. 

The bench found that the petitioner failed to show the permission obtained by him for affixing posters. In this light, now t the matter will be heard on February 21 for compliance.