<p>The Election Commission of India is keeping a close watch on all social media to ensure politicians do not act in violation of the model code of conduct.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The poll panel has found able allies in civil society<br />members and students who care for the democratic process to keep a watch on the virtual space and ensure the campaign for the May 12<br />election complies with the code.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Joint Chief Electoral Officer Surya Sen A V said several concerned citizens and students were scanning through social media posts for poll code violations.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Right now, we have about 10-15 students in Bengaluru working with us. Members of the civil society who care about the elections are also volunteering. At the district level, deputy commissioners are also involved," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The commission recruited the volunteers after doing a background check to ensure they are neutral and are people of integrity, Sen said. The chosen volunteers were given a half-day training.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are looking out for everything from coupons and promo codes to bitcoins since everyone is now tech-savvy. We also look out for hate speech and messages," Sen said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other communication channels are being scoured and daily reports are submitted to the complaints monitoring cell for action.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sen said a recent incident of helmet-distribution as part of campaigning in Mahadevapura was discovered through messages on WhatsApp, which he described as the most difficult platform to track.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But we have students, citizens and our sources who alert us when they come across messages which violate the code," Sen said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While the volunteers work from home, the commission has a team of its own that monitors the social media platform in shifts.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Though social media played a minor yet significant role in the previous election, it has now become a crucial part of the campaign due to its increased use.</p>
<p>The Election Commission of India is keeping a close watch on all social media to ensure politicians do not act in violation of the model code of conduct.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The poll panel has found able allies in civil society<br />members and students who care for the democratic process to keep a watch on the virtual space and ensure the campaign for the May 12<br />election complies with the code.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Joint Chief Electoral Officer Surya Sen A V said several concerned citizens and students were scanning through social media posts for poll code violations.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Right now, we have about 10-15 students in Bengaluru working with us. Members of the civil society who care about the elections are also volunteering. At the district level, deputy commissioners are also involved," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The commission recruited the volunteers after doing a background check to ensure they are neutral and are people of integrity, Sen said. The chosen volunteers were given a half-day training.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are looking out for everything from coupons and promo codes to bitcoins since everyone is now tech-savvy. We also look out for hate speech and messages," Sen said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other communication channels are being scoured and daily reports are submitted to the complaints monitoring cell for action.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sen said a recent incident of helmet-distribution as part of campaigning in Mahadevapura was discovered through messages on WhatsApp, which he described as the most difficult platform to track.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But we have students, citizens and our sources who alert us when they come across messages which violate the code," Sen said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While the volunteers work from home, the commission has a team of its own that monitors the social media platform in shifts.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Though social media played a minor yet significant role in the previous election, it has now become a crucial part of the campaign due to its increased use.</p>