Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, who is also the District Electoral Officer, has instructed political parties to seek permission before placing election advertisements in print and  electronic media.

As per the Election Commission’s instructions, DC D. Randeep has formed a district-level committee to keep track of advertisements placed by political parties in newspapers, radio, television channels and other mediums. The committee will also keep a vigil on ‘paid news’ and will work from Vartha Bhavan.

Political parties have been instructed by the DC to seek prior permission before placing advertisements. Though permission is not needed to place advertisements in newspapers, the committee will keep track of the ads published and finally add it to the total electoral expenditure of the candidate.

He has also said that party leaders or supporters cannot place ads without bringing it to the notice of the candidate and action would be initiated against such persons. The committee will also keep a vigil on newspaper advertorials.