Poll scan on social media ... Any kind of political advertisement or campaign material, whether for newspaper or for electronic media, or even for social media…that will require prior certification

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 07 Mar 2019, Darjeeling: Political advertisements and campaign material on social media will require certification once the model code of conduct comes into force for the Lok Sabha elections.

This is the first time the Election Commission will official monitor social media, whose role in information dissemination has been increasing in recent times.

"There is a monitoring and certification committee at the district level. Any kind of political advertisement or campaign material, whether for newspaper or for electronic media, or even for social media…that will require prior certification," Darjeeling DM and district election officer Joyoshi Dasgupta said at a workshop on Wednesday.

Monitoring and certification for electronic and print media have been in place for long. This is the first time social media is being brought under the ambit. "For social media, I do not have the exact norms at the moment and I will clarify it subsequently," said Dasgupta.

In another first, the poll panel has decided to monitor violation of the model code through a "citizen vigil app". "Any person will have the option of uploading a live video or a live photo on this app on violation of the model code or expenditure (rules)," said Dasgupta.

A district level team will have to address such complaints within an hour. Sources in the administration said the one-hour timeline would mean that a dedicated team would have to be on its toes all the time.

"Imagine a situation when such a complaint is uploaded from a far-flung area in the middle of the night. The team is expected to reach there and dispose of the case within one hour," said a source.

The citizen app will be run by the Election Commission across the country during the Lok sabha polls. However, sources said a version of this app had been used during the in Telangana elections last year.

This time, political parties and candidates will have to give three newspaper and electronic media advertisements listing their criminal records -- both convictions and cases in which trials are on -- within a period ranging from the last day of withdrawal of nominations to 48 hours before voting day.

While submitting affidavits during nominations, candidates will have to declare foreign assets, including those of their spouses and children. Voters can register themselves and get details of polling booths and their locations through www.nvsp.in.