Special focus should be on monitoring social media by the teams- Chief Electoral Officer

Chandigarh, May 5 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Sh. Anurag Agarwal stressed the importance of closely monitoring social media platforms in the state's districts. He directed the officers of the social media monitoring teams to pay special attention to social media platforms, the expenditure of advertisements on social media will be added to the account of the concerned candidate or the party.

He informed about the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, stating that just like newspapers, television, and radio, election campaigning also takes place on social media platforms, involving expenses. Teams formed in the districts under the Election Commission's guidelines will closely monitor social media during the upcoming Lok Sabha general elections and ensure that any advertisements found are reported along with the expenditure details to the monitoring team. Based on the report, the cost of that advertisement will be added to the account of the concerned candidate or the party.

The Chief Electoral Officer emphasised the significance of monitoring social media during the Lok Sabha general elections. Often, candidates and parties promote their campaigns on platforms like YouTube videos during elections. If monitoring teams come across channels or videos supporting any candidate or political party, spreading communal content, or violating the Model Code of Conduct. In that case, action will be taken against the operator of the respective YouTube channel under the IT Act.

Media personnel should play an impartial role during elections

He stated that the Model Code of Conduct applies equally to everyone, including newspapers, television, radio, and social media. According to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, there should be equality across all media platforms during elections. News published or broadcasted in the media should not favor any particular side or go against any side. Care should be taken to refrain from publishing or broadcasting any news that favors or opposes any religion, caste, or community. Before publishing or broadcasting any news, verification should be ensured. All candidates and parties should be given equal space. Moreover, media personnel should play an impartial role during elections, adhering to all the Election Commission of India's guidelines.

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*Certification of print media advertisements published one day before voting is mandatory - Chief Electoral Officer

*MCMC will monitor media published-broadcast news

Chandigarh, May 5 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Sh. Anurag Agarwal stated that as per the Election Commission of India, candidates or political parties must obtain a certificate from the Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) before publishing advertisements in print media on the day of voting and one day before voting.

The Chief Electoral Officer stated that voting for the Lok Sabha will take place on May 25, hence candidates must obtain certification from the MCMC before publishing proposed advertisements in print media on May 24 and on the day of voting, May 25. Otherwise, it will be considered a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. He said that for broadcasting advertisements on TV and local cable TV, certification must be obtained from the MCMC as soon as enrollment is done. To obtain certification for advertisements, the prescribed proforma must be submitted to the MCMC two days before the scheduled date of printing and broadcasting.

As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, a Media Monitoring and Certification Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the District Election Officer, he added.

Sh. Anurag Agarwal stated that the MCMC is carrying out its duties with utmost seriousness. Special control rooms have been set up to monitor paid news. He said that citizens can play the most important role in conducting free and fair elections. The more vigilant the citizens are, the stronger the democracy becomes. The MCMC will keep a close watch on news falling under the category of paid news during the elections.