The Election Commission on Sunday directed the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal and other political parties in Bihar to remove all hoardings, banners and posters by December 30.

The commission, acting on a report by its Advisor K J Rao on the violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the ruling RJD, decided to direct the chief secretary to penalise parties violating the code.

Taking serious note of the defacement of Patna by the RJD ahead of a rally, which was later called off, the commission also decided to direct the chief secretary to inquire as to how public property was allowed to be defaced in violation of the Bihar Prevention of Defacement of Property Act. It directed the Chief Secretary to submit a report by December 31.

It also directed the chief secretary to fix responsibility on officers concerned for their acts of omission and commission. The chief secretary has also been asked to forward to the EC the explanations of the officers by January five, an EC press note said.

Meanwhile, a four-member team of the EC will arrive in Patna on Sunday night to impart training to returning officers and assistant ROs for the three-phased Assembly elections in Bihar beginning on February three, official sources said.

The team would comprise Special Observor for Bihar Assembly polls Sayan Chatterjee, EC's Advisor K J Rao, Maharashtra's Joint Chief Electoral Officer K V Kuruendekar and EC Secretary M Bilfred, the sources said.

While Chatterjee will review the poll preparedness with government officials, the other three officials will impart training to ROs and AROs in the conduct of polls, they added.