New CEC calls on media to play constructive role

NEW DELHI: V S Sampath, who succeeded S Y Quraishi as the eighteenth Chief Election Commissioner of India, today called on media to play a key role in providing the Commission with timely and accurate information and ?constructive criticism of our actions?.

Noting that Information is the currency of democracy, he said he looked forward to "your (media?s) continued support in the days to come?.

Listing as checking use of money power in elections as one of his priorities, he said legal expenses including those on publishing posters should be kept within the ceiling limits, while simultaneously ensuring that illegal expenses like bribing the voters with cash or kind is effectively prevented.