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The Election Commission has banned photographs of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, chief ministers and ministers in the government's Republic Day advertisements in poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa.
The order applies also to outstation newspapers circulated in the poll-bound states, as they prejudice the voter's mind in favour of the ruling party candidates, EC sources said.
They said there was no restriction on use of such photos in advertisements issued by a political party in states where the assembly polls are not taking place.
Through an earlier order, the EC has already directed that the chief minister and ministers can chair the official Republic Day functions in other constituencies except in those where they are contesting. Also, they are not supposed to make any reference to the ongoing elections in their Republic Day speeches.