'ECI to check fake, paid news on social media'

Election Commission of India has held talks with the management of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other social media platforms to control and remove fake and paid news content to ensure free and fair elections, said Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer Subrat Sahoo on Monday.

In a live interaction with voters on his Facebook page @CEOChhattisgarh, he answered a number of queries about fake and paid news.

Shiwesh Singh and Ankit Mishra sought details on lodging a complaint in case of fake news. The CEO said that monitoring would be done through the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC). The advertisements on social media would also be included in the expense account of candidates.

On a query by Jagit Singh Chohan, Ahmed Raza and others regarding linking of aadhaar number with electoral roll, CEO Sahoo said after the recent Supreme Court judgement delinking aadhaar from bank accounts and mobile connections, the ECI is examining the issue. Panna Adil asked if mobile voting was a possibility, CEO Sahoo said if technological advancement made it feasible, the ECI might consider it.

Many voters sought a ban on liquor, some suggesting that the ban should come into effect 15 days before polling day. Sahoo responded that liquor, like any other commodity, cannot be banned but a strict vigil will be kept to curb any illegal activity related to its manufacture, transportation, storage and supply.

Faraz Khan sought steps to stop criminals from fighting elections, to which Sahoo said that it is for political parties to take the lead and make legal provision for it.

Asked how the election commission would curb allurements in cash and kind offered by political parties to voters, the CEO said the slogan for Chhattisgarh State Assembly election 2018 is “Sugham, Sugadh, Samaveshi” (accessible, fair and inclusive) for ensuring free, fair and peaceful election. So, voters should reject allurements and cast their vote without fear.