No political advertisements should be released on any internet-based media or websites including social media websites without pre-certification from competent authorities, said Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rajat Kumar on Friday.
Kumar said as per the Election Commission of India directions relating to use of social media in the context of elections, the social media accounts of candidates had to be submitted in the affidavits in Form-26 to the
commission.
He said campaign expenditure through internet including social media websites should be included in the expenditure as per Section 77(1) of Representative of Peoples Act.
“The content on internet including social media shall be subject to the provisions of model code of conduct,” the CEO said and added that any violation would be viewed seriously and action would be initiated.