NEW DELHI, March 10 (Xinhua) -- India's election commission has directed political parties to advise their candidates and leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel in advertisements as part of their election campaign.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) in an advisory to presidents of all political parties in country has sought their strict compliance.

"It has been brought to the notice of the commission that some political parties are using photographs of the defense personnel in advertisement as part of their political campaign," the advisory issued by ECI said on Saturday.

The poll panel said armed forces are apolitical and neutral stakeholders in a modern democracy and asked political parties across the country to not use photographs of defence personnel on hoardings or posters in the run-up to country's general elections.

The advisory came after billboards featuring BJP leaders such as Narendra Modi and Amit Shah along with Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman came up in certain parts of the national capital.

"Modi hai toh mumkin hai (Everything is possible under Prime Minister Modi)," such billboard said.