Kerala High Court Mandates Removal of Illegal Election Campaign Posters and Banners

**Kochi, November 20, 2025** – The Kerala High Court has issued a directive for the immediate removal of all illegal posters and banners erected as part of the ongoing local self-government election campaign. The court has set a two-week deadline for the clearance of these unauthorized campaign materials.

Justice Devan Ramachandran, presiding over the matter, further instructed the State Election Commission and District Election Officers to initiate punitive measures, including the imposition of fines, against individuals and parties responsible for violating regulations by putting up such illegal displays.

In response to the court’s proceedings, the Election Commission assured that District Election Officers would promptly issue necessary instructions to the secretaries of local self-government departments to facilitate the removal process. The Commission also brought to the court’s attention that a similar order for the removal of unauthorized boards and flexes, along with penalties for offenders, had been issued previously. This earlier directive, the Commission confirmed, has now been integrated into the model code of conduct specifically for the local self-government elections, reinforcing the legal framework against such violations.

The court’s stringent stance underscores the commitment to ensuring fair and compliant election practices, aiming to curb visual pollution and uphold the integrity of the electoral process by removing unauthorized propaganda materials.