While the political parties, candidates contesting the assembly polls and their supporters were busy campaigning for the polls, the Regional Transport Authority (RTO) was quietly on the prowl to pin down the vehicle owners or drivers who violated the election code of conduct. The RTO managed to nab 66 vehicles seen carrying party symbols and photos of leaders on the vehicles without prior permission.

Of the total number of 66 vehicles, 42 were four-wheelers while 24 were two-wheelers. Before the implementation of the election code of conduct, the RTO had appealed the political parties and their supporters that the displaying images without prior permission would be considered a breach of law and the concerned vehicles could be booked under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.

“From the inception of the election code of conduct, we nabbed 66 vehicles in the city who did not have the necessary permission to carry the party symbols or photographs of party leaders. The vehicle owners first seek permission from the Election Commission or from RTO if they intended to do so,” said Chandrakant Kharatmal, Pune RTO.

The vehicles were seen carrying symbols like the clock of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) or bow-arrow of Shiv Sena.

He said, “We imposed a fine of Rs 100 from each vehicle found breaching the code. While some vehicle owners paid up on the spot, others, who were given memos, were asked to pay the amount later.”

Vihar Durve, civic activist said, “Since the amount of fine is negligible and the supporters intimidate the RTO authorities with the political influence, some of them must have straightaway avoided the payment of fine. But, the RTO should not let them go scot-free and strictly fine every defaulter.” He said that the RTO should also display on its website the vehicle numbers that had been fined.