Mangaluru: Though the election commission has prohibited election campaigning through social media and warned of strict action against those who upload any posts related to a particular party or candidate, some people are continuing to do so. Commenting on the issue, the Dakshina Kannada district Superintendent of Police Laxmi Prasad has warned that suo moto cases would be booked against anybody using social media as a tool for election campaigning.
Addressing the reporters at DC’s office here on Monday, March 11, Laxmi Prasad said, “The department would keep a close watch on social media to ensure that none violate the guidelines. If a person uploads any post without the notice of the poll candidate, then the case will be registered against the former alone. If anyone uploads any post with the consent of a candidate, a case will be registered against the latter.”
The Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said that some concrete measures would be taken with regard to the Lok Sabha election. The election commission has also directed all the political parties, contesting candidates and their authorised agents to desist from utilising environmentally hazardous materials like plastics, polythene for the election-related publicity materials, he said.
“Comprehensive instructions for the purpose of effective monitoring of the election expenditure of the candidates have been issued, which include the formation of 73 flying squads, 62 static surveillance teams and 25 video surveillance teams,” Senthil added.
Senthil also urged the public to use internet-based mobile app ‘cVgil’, which stands for ‘citizens vigil.’ “Through this system, people can upload photos or videos, pertaining to violation of election code of conduct. Soon after the complaint, the squad, dedicated to cVigil, would visit the exact location and file a report with the district election officer, who would examine the case and settle it within a short span of time. Miscreants doing fake calls can be traced and action will be taken against them,” said Sasikanth Senthil.
