Social media on tight EC leash during LS polls

As the countdown to the 2019 general elections begin, the Election Commission (EC) has directed chief electoral officers of all States and Union Territories (UTs) to appoint nodal officer to check misuse of social media and intimate it by March 25. Besides, the Commission has also appointed Dilip K Verma Secretary, Sayyid Rechashmi Deputy Director Arun Kumar Palani, Deputy Director as nodal officers to look into misuse of social media during polls. Political parties use social media platforms as well as friendly websites to trumpet their “achievements” while discrediting their rivals by spreading canards and untruths during polls.

In its communiqué’s to the States and Union Territories, the EC also stated that cases of violation of Model Code of Conduct on social media pertaining to the concerned States and UTs will immediately be intimated to the grievance officer of the concerned social media platforms.