Hyderabad: Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar today instructed the candidates contesting in the ensuing elections should provide the details of social media accounts as well as advertisements in television channels. The leaders should give details in terms of pre-certification on advertisements in electronic media he said.
The CEO said the EC is fully vigilant on social media and paid news and will put tabs on irregularities by coordinating with cyber crime police. He addressed a workshop for DPROs and officials concerned, including PIB ADG, TVK Reddy at Haritha Plaza here on the election code of conduct and the need for fair and smooth conduct of the polls. Stating that same norms will be applied to electronic media and social media, he said that serious action will be taken if poll code is violated.
The CEO has asked the media, newspapers to maintain constraint and avoid writing and telecasting sensational news or fake news. He also asked the ministers and leaders to avoid using official machinery and resources for election campaign. He clarified that the EC is not entitled to issue notices to the media and newspapers which have to writing quid pro quo news, fake or wrong news as that will confuse people.
A committee will take a call to take action on news and advertisements if they violate election code of conduct he said. The media can go to any place during the poll process except to the place of secret voting, he said. The leaders have to stop publicity of any type before 48 hours of the polls. The EC has banned the exit polls as it will influence the polling process while the opinion polls have no such ban he said. (NSS)
