WhatsApp messages supporting a particular candidate for the parliamentary elections will come under the category of paid news, Ranchi SDO Garima Singh issued a notification to this effect on Wednesday.
The notification also directed WhatsApp group admins (administrators) under Ranchi sadar area not to circulate messages coming under the category of paid news to sway voters.
India is WhatsApp’s biggest market with more than 200 million users, while overall the messaging system has 1.5 billion active users globally. This is the first Indian election where WhatsApp becomes a significant player in shaping public opinion.
Contacted, SDO Singh confirmed the notification saying as the model code of conduct had been enforced from Sunday evening, it had become mandatory for the district administration to monitor the campaigning expenses of every candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
“In case we come to know that someone is spreading messages in support of a particular candidate through WhatsApp groups, we will do an inquiry and take action under the Representation of the People Act, 1951,” SDO Singh said. The Act had been framed to regulate the conduct of elections to the parliament or houses of the legislature in each state.
Poll workers learn the use of electronic voting machine at Birsa Munda Stadium in Morabadi Picture by Manob Chowdhary
Asked about the procedure of calculating the amount, Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Ray said it was not a very difficult task.
“The amount paid (by the party) to the group admin concerned will be calculated. The charges spent on data will be calculated. It will be seen whether the group admin has an affiliation with the candidate or not. This apart, if needed, the IT cell will do its own calculation,” Ray said.
But the admin of a popular WhatsApp group, Public News Ranchi, Prabhat Kumar, said putting a check on social media would be tough for the administration despite all the best intentions.
“First of all, the number of WhatsApp groups is growing every minute, and as election days near, will increase. It is very tough to keep tabs on who circulates what,” Kumar said. “I can speak for myself that I will obey the rules and pay whatever amount is required if I happen to circulate a message to favour a candidate,” said the man whose group has over 8,000 members.
In keeping with the norms of the model code, work of removing banners and posters with photographs of ministers is also on in full swing across the capital.
“We started removing banners and posters since Sunday night and so far must have removed over 5,000,” said Ranchi Municipal Corporation city manager Sandeep Kumar. “As many as 200 workers are busy in this job. Work is on in two shifts, 6am to 2pm, and 2pm to 10pm,” he added.
