With the fate of all candidates to be decided with the start of counting of votes from Tuesday morning, freedom of fourth estate would now go for a litmus test.

The Election Commission reportedly took cognisance of over 900 news item both in print as well as in electronic media after putting it under the category of ‘paid news’.

It will be a good news, especially for some senior Congress leaders, whose statements hit the headlines, forcing them to face Election Commission notices.

Sources said that during the course of election process, the Election Commission either took suo motu cognisance of several news item or had entertained complaints from political parties — together crossing the 900 mark.

A senior administrative officer said one such matter cited was the ‘imposition of President’s Rule’. “The media created a controversy by giving just the answer and removing the question,” cited the officer adding that, so far, they not found anything.