EC says sponsored ads will be part of a candidate’s campaign expenditure

Sponsored advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter will be included in the total election expenditure of a candidate, an Election Commission spokesperson said on Thursday.

Sponsored advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter will be included in the total election expenditure of a candidate, an Election Commission spokesperson said on Thursday.

Sponsored advertisements will be included in the total election expenditure of a candidate. (Representative image)

He said voice messages of candidates, even if they were received from other states, would be added to the expenditure of the candidate.

He said the total amount of expenditure, of which is accounted under section 77 of Representation of People’s Act 1951 and incurred or authorised in any assembly constituency in connection with general elections to the Legislative Assembly by any candidate of Punjab, is Rs 28 lakh.

He asked printing press owners to print the names and addresses of printer and publisher of any election pamphlets, posters and such other material printed by them.

Any violation would invite action, including revocation of license of the printing press, he said.

He said the ECI has launched three IT applications being used in Punjab Vidhan Sabha election 2017 -- Samadhan, Suvidha and Sugam -- for uploading complaints by public, political parties and candidates.

He said flying squads have been formed to register cases against both the giver and the takers of bribe and for taking action against those who are engaged in threat and intimidation of electors.