Media certification and monitoring committee cell is functioning at CEO’s office at district and State level to monitor paid news during the lok Sabha elections. For the cell, 52 officers have been appointed.
TV monitors and staff have also been arranged to record election-related news aired round the clock. A newspaper scrutiny cell has been set up at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer to scan news carried in print media.
The cell is scanning local, regional and national newspapers everyday. Responsibility to monitor election-related news on social media has been entrusted to C-Dek. Its officers are submitting daily reports to the CEO’s office.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has directed district election officers to appoint nodal officers to coordinate with officers and employees on poll duty. On the commission’s directives, office of the Chief Electoral Officer has asked district election officers to ensure necessary action.
The commission has said that nodal officers should function on the lines of district welfare officers.
Nodal officers’ names, telephone & mobile numbers and e-mail addresses should also be publicised. The commission has expressed concern that several important aspects are ignored while fixing duties which have serious
repercussions.
Possibility of effect on electoral process also develops. District election officers have been asked to pay special attention in this regard.
Nodal officers
Responsibility to conduct three-phase lok Sabha elections in the state has been entrusted to various departments. Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has asked departments to appoint nodal officers for coordination in these works.
Departments have been asked to send names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of nodal officers to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer at the earliest.
lok Sabha elections will be held in the state in 3 phases – April 10, 17 and 25. Counting will be held on May 16 at all 51 district headquarters.