Facebook And Social Platforms To Remove Any Content Related To Lok Sabha Election In 3 Hours

On Wednesday, social networks including Twitter and Facebook agreed that during 48 hours before Lok Sabha voting days, they will handle any of the Election Commission’s requests to remove content in three hours.

According to an official statement, the parties came to this agreement in a meeting between the Commission and Internet firms following “Voluntary Code of Ethics” ahead of Lok Sabha elections, which will kick off on April 11.

The code that requires voluntary agreement from participants has been developed to ensure freedom, fairness, and ethics in the use of social media with the aim of maintaining the election process’ integrity. The Commission said the code takes effect immediately.

While the code is effective during the entire model code of conduct, the part about removing post within 3 hours is only applied during the silenced period, aka 48 hours before official voting days.

Meanwhile, Sunil Arora, Chief Election Commissioner, thinks that this code is a good first step, but essentially still a work in progress. According to Arora, it is critical that the participants follow the commitments, in letter and spirit, which has been written in the three-page document.

Other participants at the meeting include Election Commissioners Sushil Chandra and Ashok Lavasa, as well as representatives from Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, and ShareChat.

Sunil Arora, Chief Election Commissioner

The Election Commission also said that the platforms have made the commitment to process all violations that are reported under the 1951 Representation of People Act's Section 126 in three hours as per recommendations from Sinha Committee. Section 126 of the Act prohibits campaigning in the last 48 hours before voting days.

In addition, the companies also agreed to put the reporting mechanism for the Election Commission on a high priority and arrange a dedicated team to expeditiously act in case of reported violations.

The document continued:

As per the Internet and Mobile Association of India, it will act as the liaison between the poll panel and the participants. ShareChat said it looked forward to collaborating with the Commission.