Need to curb paid news syndrome: CEC

Addressing the 3rd Conference of Heads of Election Management Bodies of the SAARC nations in New Delhi, the Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi held that practices like ‘paid news’ syndrome and use of money power have emerged as new challenges in the management of elections and it was crucial to curb such practices to ascertain free and fair elections to fortify democracy in the SAARC region. He opined that the voter education had assumed larger significance as an area to maximize participation by people in the electoral process.

• 3rd Conference of Heads of Election Management Bodies of the SAARC nations in New Delhi: The 3-day conference is aimed at discussing good electoral practices and sharing of ideas among member countries. During the conference, India will make a presentation on the use of IT in conducting elections in India.