Criticism of EC order on statues ill-informed: CEC

NEW DELHI: Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi today dismissed criticism against its decision to drape the statues of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati and BSP symbol elephant on public property, calling it "ill-informed".

"I am surprised this (EC order) has been taken as something unusual. There is a model code of conduct which says there should be a level-playing field for all candidates and parties.

"The Code says nobody will get an unfair advantage. Government and public property will not be used for political gain. If portraits have to be removed, it is because it is on public property. Statues are big and they give advantage to the concerned person. The criticism is ill-informed," he told NDTV.

The CEC said there is nothing per se wrong about statues of political personalities and symbols erected out of their own expenditure.

"Only thing thing is that it is propaganda and public place cannot be used for political propaganda," he said, adding "we have no problem if it is done on private property out of their own expenditure".

Asked about the "huge" cost involved in draping the statues, Quraishi said "cost cannot be the consideration. The principle has to be enforced. Model Code of Conduct does not make a distinction on account of cost".

He said the cost of covering of statues with tarpaulin "is not going to be a big deal".

On Saturday, the Commission directed the UP government to drape the statues of Mayawati and Elephants erected in government memorials in Lucknow and Noida.