Property owners can heave a big sigh of relief.

The Election Commission of India has directed that no political party or association or body or candidates or their workers, supporters or sympathisers have any right to deface or spoil any private or public building by pasting their posters and writing slogans or painting symbols on it.

Deputy Commissioners of all districts have been directed to take action against offenders under the Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989.

A spokesman of the Haryana Election Department said in Chandigarh on Wednesday that the state's Chief Electoral Officer instructed all Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers and heads of various departments to implement the directions of the EC in letter and spirit.

Similar instructions have been issued in Punjab and Chandigarh, official sources said.