EC serves notice to 7 candidates over paid news

The Election Commission's district media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC) has served notices for paid news to seven candidates after it was found that news published in several newspapers was "similar".

Notices have been served to Maharashtra Assembly election candidates of Congress, NCP, BJP, Shiv sena, RPI, Shivsangram, MNS as well as independents following a directive issued by Election Officer S P Singh.

The candidates have been asked to file a clarification in the next 48 hours on why "similar" news stories should not be considered advertisements and expenditure incurred in getting them published must not be included as their election expenses.