The Election Commission has given strict instructions under the Model Code of Conduct for the FaceBook campaigns by the Political parties to end within 48 hours from the date of poll. As per Clause (4) of the General Conduct section “All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling station.”

Now the irony here is that you can stop the physical campaign from happening but Social Media tools are all online tools and there is a perpetual online broadcasting happening either through the party or through its supporters. We can stop the official party websites campaign but how do we stop the supporters of these prominent leaders and parties from refraining from using these tools? The Election Commission has looked into this perspective  and has given a notification and by the next 2019 polls they will have to give clear cut guidelines and incorporate the same in clause 4 of the General Conduct.