Kerala HC refuses to entertain PIL to enforce eco-friendly election campaign norms during Assembly polls

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking directions for the strict enforcement of guidelines requiring the use of eco-friendly materials during election campaigns [George John v. Election Commission of India & ors].

The PIL was filed amid ongoing election campaigns for the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, and called for directions to ensure that only eco-friendly materials were used during such campaigns.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar VM, however, noticed that the PIL petitioner did not bring on record any specific violation of guidelines on this subject.

The Bench further noted that there are already laws and court directions in place to curb unauthorised hoardings and environmentally harmful election campaigns.

The Court concluded that in the absence of concrete material showing any breach of election guidelines, it could not intervene further in the matter.

"Counsel for respondents (Election Commission and other authorities concerned) has submitted that no complaints have been recieved so far. The writ petition has been filed without disclosing any violation. (Since the petitioner has failed to show) that there is a violation of the guidelines of the Model Code of Conduct in elections by installation of boards, banners, flags etc., we are not inclined to accept this PIL," the Court said.

The petition before the Court sought the enforcement of a circular dated March 18, 2026, issued by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kerala for strict compliance with guidelines requiring the use of eco-friendly materials in election campaigns.

The said guidelines discouraged the use of plastic and non-biodegradable materials for campaign materials like boards, banners, hoardings etc. The CEO issued the circular as part of green protocol measures in force for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

The green protocol requires candidates, political parties and election authorities to avoid plastic, Polyinyl Chloride (PVC) and other such non-biodegradable materials during election campaigs.

The petitioner raised concerns regarding about the environmental impact of waste expected to be generated from illegal plastic boards, flags, etc. that would be put up during the ongoing election season in the State.

He contended that the Kerala State Policy on Outdoor Advertising was also not being effectively implemented.

The counsel representing the Election Commission of India (ECI), however, countered that there were mechanisms already in place to address such concerns.

In this regard, the ECI referred to its Model Code of Conduct violation squads, anti-defacement squads and flying squads, which have been deployed across various constituencies to monitor compliance with its rules during the elections.

The ECI's counsel added that no complaints have been received regarding any violation of its guidelines so far.

The petitioner was also unable to show any specific breach of such violations.

In view of this, the Court dismissed the petition.

The petitioner was represented by advocates VM Krishnakumar and Sanjana Jayakumar.

Standing counsel M Ajay appeared for the Election Commission of India.

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