Thiruvananthapuram:  The Kerala High Court has issued a strong direction to the State Election Commission and district election officials to remove all unauthorised banners, boards, flags and other campaign materials placed in public spaces across the state. The court said the increasing number of illegal installations during the election season cannot be allowed to continue.

Justice Devan Ramachandran made it clear that local bodies must clear these materials within two weeks. The responsibility for completing the task has been placed directly on the secretaries of local self government institutions. If the illegal items remain after the deadline, the secretaries will be held personally accountable.

The court also instructed the State Election Commission and district election officers to monitor the clean up process. They must submit a compliance report to the High Court once the election procedures are over.

This is not the first time the High Court has intervened in the matter. Earlier this year, similar instructions were issued, but the court expressed concern that many officials had not acted effectively. The court said illegal boards and flags cause visual pollution and affect public safety and order.

The recent order comes as political parties step up campaigning for the upcoming local body elections. The court stressed that rules apply to everyone and that no group can take over public spaces without permission.

Officials are now expected to begin removal work immediately, and political parties may face fines if they continue to put up unauthorised materials.