Election Commission Braces to Curb Misuse of Social Media During Polls

With the growing digital presence of voters and candidates, the Election Commission has stepped up efforts to curb violations of the election code of conduct through social media, amid rising concerns over misinformation, hate speech and online smear campaigns.

As the House of Representatives election approaches, the rapid and viral nature of social networking platforms has emerged as a major challenge for election oversight. Election officials say misleading and unverified content is spreading widely, often provoking public outrage before facts can be established.

Recently, a short video allegedly showing the use of a vehicle with an Indian number plate during election-related activities went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism. Despite the lack of verified details, users flooded platforms with comments both supporting and opposing the content.

Election officials say online defamatory slogans and personal attacks against candidates have also become increasingly common.

The election code of conduct restricts rallies and gatherings of more than 25 people during candidate filing. However, the commission found that several political parties and candidates violated the provision, with campaign events featuring party flags and banners widely circulated on social media. In some cases, children were also seen participating in such activities.

The commission sought clarification from concerned leaders after a sitting chief minister was found attending a candidate’s filing event at an election office, an act deemed inconsistent with the code of conduct. The use of the national flag for campaign purposes by some parties and candidates has also drawn the commission’s attention.

Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said the commission has intensified scrutiny to prevent the spread of false information and violations of the code through digital platforms.

“Effective monitoring will be carried out to deter fake information, misinformation and hate speech,” Bhandari said, adding that the commission plans stronger monitoring measures than during the 2022 general election, when social media platform representatives were also engaged in coordination efforts.

He said the commission is particularly concerned about attempts to assassinate the character of rival candidates through the misuse of artificial intelligence and the deliberate spread of false narratives. However, Bhandari stressed that cooperation from all stakeholders is essential to address the problem.

In this connection, the commission has written to the Press Council Nepal, the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police, and the Central Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, seeking action against eight individuals accused of spreading harmful election-related content.

The Election Commission has prioritised collaboration with social media companies to regulate fake, misleading and malicious content. An “e-Monitoring Plus” software system, developed with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has also been deployed to strengthen code-of-conduct monitoring.

The commission has urged the public to remain alert to misinformation and hate speech, warning that such content violates the election code of conduct.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal visited the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police on Sunday and said the bureau does not require approval from senior officials or other agencies to take action against those spreading misleading information online. He instructed the bureau to closely monitor and act against indecent, baseless and legally prohibited content, as well as misinformation and disinformation, in view of the upcoming parliamentary election. -- RSS