Election Commission lens on social media

Malappuram: If you thought that campaigning through the social media will escape the notice of the Election Commission of India (ECI), then perish the thought. The ECI has turned its attention on the use of social media for election campaign and brought in a series of measures to monitor them.

Under the ECI direction, district collectors who head the district level Media Certification and Monitoring Cells (MCMC) have asked all candidates to get prior approval for the advertisements they publish in online media including blogs, YouTube, Wikipedia and virtual games besides Facebook and Twitter.

A circular issued by Malappuram district collector S. Venkatesapathi on Tuesday said publishing of advertisement without MCMC approval will be considered violation of election code of conduct. Attacks on individuals and spreading communal hatred through social media will also be counted violation of poll code, it said.

Meanwhile, ECI observer in Malappuram district Pragya Paliwal Gaur has directed officials to scrutinise electioneering through the social media. She has also asked the district administration to set up more facilities at the MCMC by April 22.  

The ECI had earlier asked the candidates to include information related to their social media accounts in the nomination papers so that it can monitor campaigning in the media. The candidates have also been directed to provide details of expenditure for creating websites, content and online ads. This is to ensure that the total expenditure of every candidate will be restricted to the ceiling fixed by the ECI.