As social media has emerged as a powerful medium for political campaign, the Election Commission (EC) has proposed to evolve guidelines for regulating it during the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.
Political parties have agreed to give their opinion once the rules are framed.
At an all party meeting organised by the Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar, political parties have already made a wide range of suggestions on the issue.
DMK’s organising secretary T.K.S. Elangovan had told the EC that his party would give its view once the guidelines were framed, while CPI(M) State secretariat member M. Gunasekaran had stressed the need for preventing sectarian campaign on social media.
“We told the EC that any attempt to invoke caste and religion for campaign should not be allowed. Moreover, if an individual campaigns for a particular candidate through social media it should not be added to the expenses of the candidate,” Mr. Gunasekaran said.
Desiya Murpokkdu Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) whip V.C. Chandrakumar said since social media had emerged a powerful medium, no attempt should be made to curb it.
Mr. T.K.S. Elangoavn said he had asked the EC to prevent the ruling party from using its election symbol while implementing welfare schemes.
