As the election for the 17th Lok Sabha will see heavy campaigning online, the Election Commission (EC) has appointed social media experts at district level to monitor the candidates. A team of them will mainly keep tabs on candidate's social media. According to sources, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram among others, have agreed to cooperate with the EC to keep an eye on the campaigning through their platforms. The EC had reconstituted its Media Certification and Monitoring Committee on February 25 to ensure that social media experts are included in this election.

Issue of cost

The EC will now finalise a rate card for the candidates, to fix their social media content management and writing rates, and how much they can spend. This has to be included in their expenses list during the election process. Several media agencies that provide social media support, and their charges, will be considered while finalising the rates, said sources. Candidates will have to disclose their social media handles to the returning officers while filing their nominations. Every Lok Sabha candidate is allowed to spend only R70 lakh on her/his campaign. Every candidate, once he or she files nomination, will be on the radar of the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. The EC will also keep tabs on violations of the Model Code of Conduct. However, there will be no restrictions on party workers. "The instructions are to only keep watch on candidate's profiles. If there are complaints of violations from citizens, only then will accounts of party workers on social media will be scrutinised," said officials.