FSMI demands monitoring of digital expenditure of candidates, parties

Chandra also asked for the monitoring of digital platforms created/used by political parties and called for the accounts to be audited for the same.

HYDERABAD: The Free Software Movement of India (FSMI), a body which was instrumental in protesting against and blocking Facebook’s Free Basics, has recommended a slew of measures for the Election Commission of India to follow ahead of polls, especially keeping Aadhaar data leakages and misuse of social media in mind. 

Speaking at an event on social media and its effect on elections, Kiran Chandra, the General Secretary of FSMI said: “With digital platforms and apps playing an increasing role, both in our social life as well as during elections, digital expenditure should be properly monitored and accounted for as well. “Two key demands need to be made in this context. Firstly, digital expenditure should be reported as a part of election expenditure of parties and secondly, if limits exist, digital expenditure should be included in such limits,” Chandra added. FSMI criticised the increasing number of poll surveys that were being conducted by various private bodies. 

“Digital platforms should be barred from conducting studies, experiments that use targeted campaigns to influence an aspect of the voting process.”Chandra also asked for the monitoring of digital platforms created/used by political parties and called for the accounts to be audited for the same. “No app or digital platform created used by or for political parties and candidates should target communities based on caste, religion, ethnicity and linguistic identity,” said Chandra. 

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