The Election Commission has asked political parties to refrain from using animals for poll campaign. In an advisory issued last week, the Commission said, the cadres and workers of political parties and candidates, in their enthusiasm, should not lose sight of existing legal

provisions dealing with cruelty to animals. The advisory comes ahead of assembly elections scheduled in a number of states, including Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Citing various laws regarding prevention of cruelty to animals and wildlife protection, the Commission noted that even the use of animals for works is regulated through law.