The Election Commission's (E.C.) crackdown on illegal postering that was originally designed to prevent posters of Undergraduate Council presidential and vice-presidential candidates from flooding the campus has inadvertently created campaign controversy.

The E.C. was formed at the end of 1995 with the introduction of popular elections for president and vice-president of the council. It remains separate from the council and oversees the election process.

"It serves as a neutral and impartial body to--ensure that no foul play is involved in the elections," said Lamelle D. Rawlins '99, council president.

Over the past few days, the E.C. determined that several of the candidates had not designed and hung posters in compliance with the rules of the E.C.

The commissioners warned several candidates about the violations, ordering them to remove posters from the campus, and penalized others by giving them negative points.

A candidate who receives 100 of these points is disqualified from the race.

According to E.C. Secretary, Adam S. Vaina, the E.C. penalized two presidential candidates, Jobe G. Danganan '99 and Michael S. Bush '99, and three vice-presidential candidates, Kamil E. Redmond '99, Andrew F. Ruggiero '98 and Lilly J. Epstein '00.

Any student can report an alleged infringement of the regulations to the E.C. which then deliberates them. Those who are accused of violating the rules cannot appeal to the E.C.

But Vaina said most of the accusations have been reported by members of campaign for Beth A. Stewart '99.

Rawlins said she thinks many of the teams are using the allegations as negative publicity for their opponents.

"Some of the campaign teams are out to get other candidates," Rawlins said.

Danganan also said he viewed the allegations against him as an attempt by his opponents to undermine his campaign.

"There's an opposition team out to get us," he said. "And they notice everything. This has been a horrendous ordeal."

He added, "I feel like I'm really targeted right now."

Vaina wrote in an e-mail that Danganan's campaign was penalized for breaking E.C. rules in several ways.