SHILLONG: Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, which have become part of everybody’s life, are often misused by a few to spread propaganda, but now with the Lok Sabha elections just around the corner, the Election Commission is trying to ensure that candidates do not follow suit.
Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said candidates this time are required to furnish their social media accounts. In addition, the media certification and monitoring committee will have a person with social media background and the expert will give inputs to the committee about the activities of the candidates on social media. “The person concerned will scan different social media accounts of the candidates and see if there is any material that may vitiate the polling atmosphere,” Kharkongor said.
The Cyber Cell of Meghalaya police will also examine candidates’ social media posts from a criminal angle and take action if there is violation of guidelines.
It may be mentioned that even the Election Commission of India is regularly holding in-depth interactive sessions with representatives of various social media platforms and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) on the use of social media ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The use of social media in Meghalaya during elections is quite common and there are many politicians who use this medium to connect with the masses as was evident during last year’s Assembly elections.