EC warns of action against those spreading misinformation targeting political parties, candidates on social media

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has warned of taking stern action against those involved in spreading misinformation and hate speech targeting political parties and candidates on social networking sites in the wake of local level elections.

In view of the rising spread of such content in digital spaces, the EC urged everyone not to misuse social networking sites to assassinate characters and spread rumours as it would impact elections.

In order to monitor the use of social networking sites in terms of the election, the EC has formed a task force, comprising cyber experts of security agencies.

The EC has however expected that misuse of social media would be reduced with its stern warning that no activities would be allowed against the free and fair elections. The Election Code of Conduct, 2078 has mentioned that if the social networking sites were used by ignoring the election code of conduct, EC would take action as per Section 23 of the Election Commission Act, 2073, and Election (Crime and Punishment) Act, 2073, according to EC Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Shaligram Sharma Poudel.

Moreover, the EC has initiated to contact the offices of Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Viber and Google in a bid to regulate social networking sites as per the Election Code of Conduct, 2078. Even the Nepali Embassies in India, China, and the US have been directed via the Foreign Ministry to establish contact with such social media and cooperate in curbing the spread of misinformation.RSS