Telangana polls: Election Commission to keep check on social media ‘influencers’
HYDERABAD: Social media influencers playing an active part in campaigning for political parties are under the careful watch of the Election Commission. Apart from political stalwarts, star campaigners and prominent election candidates, officials have prepared a list of influencers to make sure that they are not violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Several political parties have roped in persons with a huge following on social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to boost the winnability of their nominees Joint Chief Electoral Officer Amrapali Kata said that while influencers were not violating rules by taking up election campaigning, it was important to make sure that they weren’t violating the MCC or making hate speeches. If any violation is noticed, the district election officer, returning officers and others concerned will be alerted to take action.
Apart from this, the Commission is working out ways to analyse various activities on social media to detect MCC violations.