The Chennai District Election Office started removing political graffiti in Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly Constituency, but work had to be suspended following threats from party functionaries.
On Friday, workers were at a spot near Vaidyanathan Bridge but had to stop after some members of a party threatened them.
Workers cleared defacement in 13 locations including Kummalamman Koil Street, Vaidyanathan Bridge, Jeevarathinam Salai, Tondiarpet High Road and Kathivakkam High Road.
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A toll-free helpline will be opened for receiving complaints on illegal graffiti, posters and banners in R.K. Nagar shortly. The Election Commission has given instructions that defacement of walls should not be resorted to, even with the consent of the owner of the property. But several private properties in R.K. Nagar Assembly Constituency have been used for campaigns.
According to the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of disfigurement) Act, 1959, graffiti is not permissible.
Following instructions of the Election Commission, the civic body will start using additional workforce to whitewash walls that have graffiti. The number of vulnerable polling stations will be finalised in the presence of observers visiting the constituency.
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Mobile parties with police personnel are likely to be deployed to cope with resistance to removal of graffiti. The returning officer of the constituency has the responsibility of keeping the walls clean.
Mobile parties with police personnel are likely to be deployed to cope with resistance to whitewashing of the graffiti-filled walls