While it is good to see a ban on election campaign posters be issued this year, the reality until now has been business as usual. The Election Commission recently announced the ban, along with other restrictions for election campaigns, through the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct, 2025, ahead of the upcoming national elections.
Indeed, the ban was a commendable attempt to alter the long-standing culture in our country of obnoxious campaigning, shrouding every corner of our streets with posters and banners. Unfortunately, this ban would be an encouraging sign if it weren’t for the fact that such is still the sight we see nationwide even after the ban.
We have been here before. Many such restrictions have been announced — and ignored — in the past, and there are currently no signs of things improving.
Political campaigns have been visually overwhelming for ages, and it is as unnecessary as it is damaging to our image. A nation that takes itself seriously must also maintain the stance in the way it presents itself, and that is, sadly, rarely allowed to be the case for us.
Unless the EC takes immediate action to implement the ban, and remains vigilant so as to not allow cases as such to go unchecked, there will be no improvements — to our streets or our approach to political campaigns.
To that end, we hope that the authorities stay true to the cause and remove the campaign materials already plastered outside. We also expect them to fine or, if necessary, cancel the candidacy of political parties when such violations are repeated, as per their own word.
Without strict, impartial enforcement, this poster ban will remain nothing more than lip service — and we mustn’t be okay with that.
