Jamshedpur, October 26, 2024: In preparation for the upcoming legislative assembly elections, Jamshedpur’s district administration has announced the establishment of a 24/7 Social Media Monitoring Cell. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure strict adherence to the Election Commission’s guidelines, including monitoring political advertising and paid news across digital platforms.
Election Observers Conduct Media Cell Inspection
The announcement came after election expenditure observers for various constituencies, including Baharagora (44), Ghatshila (45), Potka (46) and Jugsalai (47), inspected the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) in Jamshedpur.
Officials Kuruba Anjaneyulu and Kamaljit K. Kamal led the inspection to review the preparedness of the media cell. The observers, alongside District Public Relations Officer Panchanan Oraon, emphasized strict monitoring of social media platforms, newspapers, TV channels and radio to identify and regulate paid news content.
Pre-Certification of Political Advertisements Made Mandatory
One of the key directives issued during the inspection was the requirement for pre-certification of any political advertisements, videos or bulk messages before they are broadcast. This measure aims to prevent unauthorized or misleading political content during the election period. The expenditure observers instructed that any violation, including unapproved or paid news, will lead to appropriate legal action.
Round-the-Clock Social Media Surveillance
The Social Media Monitoring Cell, specifically formed for this election period, will remain operational 24 hours a day, ensuring continuous vigilance over digital platforms. Observers have mandated that all political advertisements on digital platforms, including e-papers, must undergo pre-certification to maintain transparency and fairness in electoral campaigning.
Inclusion of Social Media Expenses in Election Costs
The expenditure observers clarified that any costs incurred by political candidates or parties on social media advertising, account management or the salaries of social media handlers will be considered part of the candidate’s overall election expenditure. Candidates are required to obtain pre-certification for any political ads on internet-based platforms, failing which, they could face penalties as per the guidelines laid out by the Election Commission of India.
These measures are part of the strict code of conduct enforced by the Election Commission to ensure a level playing field for all candidates. It applies to all campaign material distributed through social media and other digital platforms, underscoring the importance of compliance with pre-certification protocols.
The district administration, alongside the election authorities, is committed to maintaining a transparent and fair electoral process, with digital media surveillance being a critical component of these efforts.
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