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.
The States and UTs will also intimate to the Commission’s grievance officer of violations of MCC / instructions issued by the Commission, who will examine the matter instantly. After the appraisal of Director General (Media) or at appropriate level in the Commission, it will write to the grievance officer to take up the action.
The EC has decided that in case any violation of model code of conduct or any other Commission’s instructions or court’s order related to poll matters is observed on social media plateform, the same shall be forwarded to the grievance officers appointed by the social media platforms viz Facebook, YouTube Twitter and WhatsApp. In its communiqués’ to States and UTs, the EC said that the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and related instructions of the Commission issued from time to time shall also apply to the content being posted on the internet including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube by candidates and political parties.
Social media platforms and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) early this week presented a “Voluntary Code of Ethics for the General Election 2019” to the EC. “This code will become effective and will enter into force on March 20, 2019,” they said in a statement, adding that it would remain operational during the election. The code’s purpose is to identify measures that the platforms can take to increase confidence in the electoral process. It is also to safeguard against misuse that vitiates the “free and fair character” of the Lok Sabha polls. According to the code, the platforms will endeavour to, “where appropriate and keeping in mind the principle of freedom of expression,” deploy appropriate policies and processes to facilitate access to information on electoral matters. Campaigns will be organised to create awareness, including on electoral laws and other instructions from the Election Commission of India (EC).
The platforms and the Commission have developed a notification mechanism by which the electoral body can notify them of potential violations under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, and on other matters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his #MainBhiChowkidar campaign on Twitter, to counter the Congress’ narrative of #ChowkidarChorHai”. The Congress, on the other hand, has taken to social media to constantly attack the Central Government for lack of jobs, the alleged scam in the Rafale deal, demonetisation, GST implementation and farmers' distress. The #ChowkidarChorHai campaign was launched by the Congress to attack Modi and the Centre over Rafale deal.
During the five States Assembly elections last year the dissemination of fake information through social media was reportedly a major influencing factor. The political parties had formed thousands of WhatsApp groups ahead of the polls. Though WhatsApp has now limited the number of forwards by an individual user to five, there is still scope for its misuse. Besides social media plateforms, motivated websites can play ample mischief and mislead the electorate.
