The Election Commission has asked Chief Electoral Officers of all five states where assembly elections have been announced immediately to constitute district level Committees to monitor and investigate paid news. Committees have been asked to scrutinise all newspapers to locate political advertisements in the garb of news coverage appearing during the election period. The Election Commission has announced the schedule of polls for Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry. The committees will also keep a watch on election news for features on TV, Cable TV channels and radio. The Commission has also asked CEOs to monitor and ensure that no advertisement is issued in the print or electronic medium highlighting the achievements of the Government at the cost of public exchequer. They have been also asked to keep strict vigil on the alleged misuse of official machinery. The Commission has urged Centre and State Governments not to release empty LAD funds in the areas where elections have been announced.