28,636 defacements removed post-poll announcement

JAMMU, AUG 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Election Department has swiftly removed more than 28,000 defacements across the Union Territory within 72 hours of the announcement of the J&K Assembly Election 2024. Following the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) declaration of the elections on August 16, 2024, strict instructions were issued to enforce the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu & Kashmir, P K Pole, directed the enforcement wing to immediately remove all forms of defacement—including wall writings, posters, banners, and other displays—from government, public, and private properties. In response, the enforcement teams, including Flying Squads and MCC units, removed a total of 28,636 defacements across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The breakdown of the defacements removed includes 1,837 wall writings, 9,276 posters, 5,661 banners, and 11,862 other forms of defacement. The operation was conducted in a mission mode to ensure that no political advertisement funded by public money remains visible during the MCC-restricted period.
The CEO reiterated the department’s commitment to working in tandem with all stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for all contestants throughout the MCC period.