CHENNAI: The Model Code of Conduct and the Election Commission's crackdown on violations have frustrated many people waiting for "seasonal jobs."

During poll campaign, a few lakh artists and painters all over the State go full steam, getting banners, posters and wall graffiti ready for candidates and parties. It may last only a few weeks, but they earn much more than they normally do.

Now most of them may be denied the opportunity because the Election Commission does not want any of these campaign materials.

The State Oviyar Sangam (artists association) has announced a boycott of the elections, as the EC has not responded to their appeal to exempt walls from the purview of the code.

A Sangam spokesman says three lakh painters in the State earn a living drawing graffiti.

"The candidates normally secure the compound walls of prominent buildings in their area for us to paint their names and symbols. After the elections, some of them give us the contract to repaint the walls for the owners. Now we are told the EC does not want this form of campaign at all. This is going to hurt us the most."

Just last week, the political parties nearly complied with an EC directive to remove all major banners, cut-outs and hoardings, including acrylic banners.

Though a few of them may still be standing in the rural and suburban areas, the business is finished; except at the venue of election meetings. Party sources say this may also come under the EC scanner.

This is a major business in the State and elections provide an additional avenue for the trade, which depends largely on the film industry and advertising agencies for patronage.

Ominously, the civic bodies are increasingly frowning upon hoardings and cut-outs.

Campaign managers and advertising agencies handling political campaign say only the small poster and digital printing segments remain to be tapped.

But it may only be a matter of time before the Commission starts focussing on them.

Small posters

At the moment, the printing industry and digital processing companies that churn out small, but attractive and colourful posters are moving into top gear. Only posters of the leaders are being processed.

But once the candidates' lists are out, there will be demand for new designs incorporating the photograph of the candidate below the blow-up of the leader.

Some of the parties are also going in for stickers — of leaders and symbols — to be pasted on campaign vehicles and party vehicles.

But the mood among the parties and the campaign materials industry appears to be a combination of caution and frustration.

The parties and candidates also have to keep on eye on the expenditure, which will also be monitored by the Election Commission's observers.

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