Mumbai: With campaigning for BMC elections set to end at 5.30 pm tomorrow, on January 13, the civic administration directed all political parties and candidates to immediately remove campaign material across the city, warning of strict action in case of violations.Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) and senior election official Dr Ashwini Joshi said failure to remove banners, hoardings, posters and other campaign material after the deadline will invite action under the Property Defacement Act. She added that any expenditure incurred by the civic administration in removing such material will be added to the concerned candidate’s election expense account.As per orders of the Maharashtra State Election Commission, the 48-hour silence period will come into effect ahead of polling. Once the campaign period ends, all forms of electioneering through electronic and print media will be prohibited. The ban will extend to messaging apps and social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.The civic body appealed to political parties and candidates to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines and to remove all campaign-related material immediately after the campaign window closes, failing which penal action will be initiated.
