SUSHIL CHANDRA,

Chandra.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also proposed making paid news an electoral offence under the Representation of the People Act to provide a strong deterrent against the malpractice.

The poll panel, reminded the CEC, has also proposed a ban on political advertisements in newspapers during the “silence period” between the end of campaign and the day of polling so that the electorate is not influenced and can exercise the franchise with a free mind.