The Election Commission (EC) has said it has taken all possible measures to restrict the flow of black money in the upcoming elections. Steps are also being taken to discourage criminals from contesting elections.
Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath said district level panels will monitor campaign using electronic, print and social media to curb the menace of paid news. He said flying squads, static surveillance teams, accounting teams and video surveillance teams are being sent to check distribution of bribe among voters.
The Media Certification and Monitoring Committee will keep a watch on election advertisements and paid news, he said. He added that as there are no legal measures to tackle paid news, the panel is dealing with issue from the expenditure angle.
Meanwhile, the EC’s decision to increase expenditure limits for the Lok Sabha election lakh per constituency has irked the Left parties.