Content clearance a must The EC tells political parties and candidates to get their advertisements cleared by it before posting them on social media websites Asks those contesting the Assembly polls to provide details of their Internet/social media accounts along with statement of expenditure incurred for creating them

New Delhi, October 25
The Election Commission today issued instructions bringing under its scanner all content posted by political parties and election candidates on the Internet and social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The EC has directed all political parties and candidates to get their advertisements pre-certified by it before issuing them on social media websites. It also asked the parties and candidates contesting the upcoming Assembly elections to provide details of their Internet/social media accounts along with a statement of expenditure incurred for creating them.

On content posted by persons or entities other than candidates and political parties, the EC said it was considering the matter in consultation with the government to find a practical way out.

Issuing instructions ahead of the Assembly elections , the commission averred that the steps were being taken to ensure transparency and provide a level playing field.

“The provisions of the model code of conduct and related instructions issued from time to time shall also apply to the content being posted on the Internet, including social media websites, by candidates and political parties,” an EC order said today.

In a direction to the Chief Electoral Officers of all states and various political parties in the country, the EC said: “No political advertisements are to be released on any internet-based media/websites, including social media websites, by political parties/candidates without pre-certification from competent authorities in the same format.” — PTI