Flag code provisions should not be violated in political rallies: EC

HYDERABAD: The Election Commission of India has communicated to all political parties that there was no prohibition on the use of the national flag in rallies but it has to be ensured that the provisions of the flag code were not violated. The EC based its communication on the order of the Allahabad high court, Lucknow bench.

A petitioner had approached the court to direct that political parties should not be allowed to use the national flag in rallies but that petition was dismissed on January 30, 2014 by the HC. The court pointed out that there was no prohibition of proper use of national flag by political parties in rallies and that it was the bounden duty of the authorities concerned to ensure strict compliance of the rules. This means provisions of the Flag Code, and provision of Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 should be adhered to by all political parties.

The EC's under secretary N T Bhutia in a letter dated March 4, 2014 to the presidents/general secretaries and chairpersons of all recognised national and state political parties asked them to bring the orders of the court to the notice of their cadres at all levels.