The Election Commission has decided to keep a strict watch on all  “surrogate advertisements” appearing in the media and initiate action after inquiry.

Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, who addressed the media on Tuesday after a review meeting with the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of 11 districts that are going to polls in the first phase, warned that such advertisement amounts would be added on the poll expenditure of candidates.

Gopalaswami said some candidates have complained against advertisements being published as “paid” news stories in a section of media. Instructions have also been issued for initiating action against those candidates who used religious places or religious functions for influencing voters either through distribution of materials such as sarees or arranging for prasada.

Gopalaswami said that in some districts, the response by the police department to the complaints was not satisfactory.

The poll expenditure observers have been instructed to step up their vigil and verify any unusual large scale purchases of items such as TV sets. The authorities of Beverages Corporation were told to put in a plan of action for keeping a vigil on liquor sale.

Gopalaswami said some parties complained about seizure of their election material while being transported.  He said only transportation of flags and banners is permitted, while the transportation of caps, T-shirts etc is prohibited and they will be seized. He said use of party flags on vehicles being used for public canvassing would be allowed.

However, display of banners on such vehicles would be allowed only if the RTO rules permitted. Gopalaswami said immediate steps would be taken to close down all unauthorised party offices. Though the EC has received complaints about the use of SHG members for electioneering purposes, he said he cannot take action against them as the SHGs are NGOs.