With increasing use of social networking sites by political parties and candidates, the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) in Delhi will be closely screening party propaganda with an eagle eye.
Though there is no regulation or mechanism in place to check whether such profiles and updates involve fiscal transaction, the CEO is planning to compile data of all activities of parties and probables on these websites.
Vijay Kumar Dev, CEO, Delhi, said, “In the absence of suitable provisions, we can only make sure that the amount spent on maintaining accounts or profiles on social networking sites by political parties and their leaders will not be added to their allotted poll expenses. They will have an edge in this election by using this platform but we will be keeping a close tab on every development. Following proper monitoring, data compilation will be used later to scrutinise any violation of rules prescribed for the polls.”
Director General of Election Commission of India (ECI) Akshay Rout also said, “The Commission is aware of the fact and has held discussions with the Ministry of Information Technology to regulate and form ‘Internet-based communication’ accountable. The implementation may take some time since we are trying to plug all loopholes.”
He was speaking at a media workshop organised by the ECI and Office of Delhi CEO with regard to paid news and partnership with media organisations for voters’ awareness and their participation in elections in the Capital on Monday.
Dev further said, to keep strict vigil on money transaction or expenses incurred by contestants during elections, 160 flying squads and more than 100 teams of expenditure observers have been set up. All 70 Assemblies will have separate static and video surveillance teams.
They will be present at political rallies and functions during the elections, which will be considered in the election expenses inventory. “Soon, we will also have meetings with officials of Delhi Police, Customs, Income Tax department and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to check the flow of money. Our team will also be deployed at the border — entry and exit points to the Capital,” he said.