With the Lok Sabha elections looming around the corner, the Election Commission of India (ECI,) on the 20th of March, held a tete a tete with the representatives of seven different social media platforms.
In an attempt to curb the misrepresentation of information during the Lok Sabha elections, the ECI decided to lay down a certain set of rules. Similar to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC,) the Election Commission worked with these representatives to curb the rampant abuse of the internet during the seven phase nationwide elections.
Members from social media giants like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Google, Sharechat, Bigo TV and TikTok attended this meeting. The ECI gave each of these representatives 7 minutes to finalise and present their plans in front of the body. Apart from the social media representatives, this meeting also included members of the Internet and Mobile Association of Code (IAMAI.)
While the primary aim of this meeting was to curtail negative comments and the misinterpretation of news, there was also a talk about how to punish people if they were found guilty of the violations.
“The meeting was centered on discussing issues like the appointment of a dedicated grievance channel for expeditious action by the organizations, pre certification and transparency in the expenditure of political advertisements. The meeting also focused on evolving a notification mechanism by social media platforms for acting upon the violation of Section 126 of R.P. Act, 1951 (poll rules) and preventing misuse of these platforms,” said a press release by the ECI.
Apart from just speaking about these issues, the ECI also spoke about ways to prevent abuse and to increase the multiple awareness programmes created, post this meeting. The elections are going to start on the 11th of April, it is going to be interesting to see who is going to win the upcoming elections. Are these guidelines going to result in a more honest voting system? Or is it going to be an honest to god election for the people by the people? D day is the 23rd of May, stay tuned to the page for the results!
