Social media platforms to follow ‘code of ethics’ in all future elections: EC

News:Internet Mobile Association of India(IAMAI) has said that social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp have agreed to follow the voluntary code of ethics in all future elections.

Facts:

About Voluntary code of ethics:The features of Voluntary Code of Ethics are as follows:

• Social Media platforms will voluntarily undertake information, education and communication campaigns to build awareness including electoral laws and other related instructions. 
• Social Media platforms have created a high priority dedicated grievance redressal channel for taking expeditions action on the cases reported by the Election Commission of India(ECI). 
• Social Media Platforms and ECI have also developed a notification mechanism by this ECI can notify the relevant platforms of potential violations of Section 126 of the R.P. Act, 1951 and other electoral laws. 
• Platforms will ensure that all political advertisements on their platforms are pre-certified from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees as per the directions of the Supreme Court. 
• Participating platforms are committed to facilitate transparency in paid political advertisements, including utilising their pre-existing labels or disclosure technology for such advertisements.

Additional information:

About Representation of the People(RP) Act,1951:

• The Representation of the People Act,1951 is an act of Parliament of India.
• The act provides (a)the conduct of elections of the Houses of Parliament and the House of the Legislature of each State (b)the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of those Houses and (c)the corrupt practices,decisions,doubts and disputes arising in connection with such elections.

Section 126 of RP Act,1951:

• Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act,1951 imposes election silence period which prohibits any form of election campaign in the last 48 hours leading up to voting.It gives voters a peaceful condition to consider and make a final decision on their vote.