Cong objects to poll panel regulation of social media

Raising strong objections to the Election Commission of India's decision to regulate poll campaign through social media, Shantaram Naik, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, on Saturday said the Commission should quote the provisions of law under which it had taken the decision.

"The ECI should have consulted the political parties and government before taking any decision on regulating campaign through social networking sites,” he said adding that he had also spoken to Deputy Election Commission Vinod Zutsi and asked him quote the provisions of law before issuing any poll-related directions.

The Commission should give directions on poll related issue much before the announcement of the poll dates to avoid any confusion, Naik said in a statement.

Naik, a Congress MP, said such "elaborate" instructions do not fall within the jurisdiction of the poll panel.

"While the government always frames rules in consultation with the Election Commission, the panel "does not deem it fit to consult government or political parties in issuing instructions which are in the nature of substantive law."

 He said such matters cannot be allowed in the name of instructions.