EC asks Facebook to block advt 48-hr before polling

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has asked Facebook to examine blocking of political advertisement during the last 48-hours before polls in the country.

On June 4, at a meeting of the committee constituted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to study provisions of Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a Facebook representative agreed to examine providing a window or button on the Facebook page for flagging complaints about violation of election laws, according to minutes of the meeting.

The representative also agreed to examine if the number of Facebook reviewers attending to complaints against content posted by users can be increased from current 7,500 persons. The number, he said, could be augmented during election period if the need arises.

Section 126 of the Representation of the People prohibits displaying any election matter by means, inter alia, of television or similar apparatus, during 48 hours before the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in a constituency.

The official of the social media giant at the meeting stated that complaints could be lodged against the ‘content’ on Facebook and these are reviewed as per the global community standards. “If the content is found to be violating community standards, they will be taken off,” he stated, according to the minutes of the meeting.

The action would be promptly taken if a complaint was made by the Commission or its machinery about violation of any provision of the law concerning “contents on Facebook”.