Election Commission approval needed for social media campaign

The approval of an Election Commission of India appointed panel is needed for launching a poll campaign in the social media, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Praveen Kumar said on wednesday.

EC had sought clarification from AIADMK on its proposed social media campaign, he said, adding the party had said it would provide Compact Discs (CDs) of its propaganda material to the poll body. The material would be seen by a panel constituted for the purpose of monitoring such campaigns.

On complaints related to implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, he said 8345 complaints had been received against defacement of walls in public properties and 4602 in private properties. 

On an average about 300 phone calls are received at the Election Commission office every day on a host of poll related issues, including missing names in voters lists, he said. 

On traders' grievances that cash was being seized by flying squads, he said it was mandatory to carry supporting documents. "One should be careful as some politicians may also use this excuse...that they are traders...it is not enough to make oral claims...documents must support the claims."