The Election Commission has instructed the Jharkhand BJP to remove a social media post that breaches the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The party must also clarify the “alleged violation of provisions of MCC” due to their social media activity.
This directive follows a complaint from the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and its ally, Congress.
The complaint by these parties highlighted that the BJP’s message, shared on platforms like X and Facebook, included a video deemed communal, malicious, and misleading. The caption read ‘poore Jharkhand ka the party’ (The party of whole Jharkhand), which raised concerns. The Commission’s order stated that this post appears to violate the MCC.
Election Commission’s Directive
In response to the complaint, the Election Commission directed immediate under existing laws and procedures. The state’s Electoral officer was instructed to ensure that relevant social media platforms remove the posts promptly. This action is mandated under section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.
The poll panel’s decision underscores its commitment to maintaining fair conduct during elections. addressing such complaints swiftly, it aims to uphold transparency and prevent misleading information from influencing voters. The directive serves as a reminder for political parties to adhere strictly to election guidelines.
Ensuring compliance with the MCC is crucial for maintaining electoral integrity. Social media plays a significant role in modern campaigns, making it vital for content shared online to be accurate and non-inflammatory. The Election Commission’s intervention highlights its vigilance in monitoring digital platforms during election periods.
This incident reflects ongoing challenges in regulating online content during elections. As political parties increasingly use digital platforms for outreach, ensuring adherence to conduct codes becomes more complex. The Election Commission’s proactive measures are essential in navigating these challenges effectively.
By taking decisive action against potential violations, authorities aim to foster an environment where elections are conducted fairly and without undue influence from misleading or harmful content. Such measures are critical in preserving democratic processes and ensuring voter trust in electoral systems.
