To prevent the spread of propaganda and rumours, the Election Commission has instructed authorities concerned to monitor social media platforms round the clock over the upcoming 11th parliamentary election.
The commission gave the directives at a meeting with representatives of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) and heads of mobile phone operators in the Election Commission Secretariat in Agargaon on Monday.
Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed briefing the press after the meeting said, social media platforms including Facebook will be kept under surveillance and legal action will be taken against those spreading rumours via social media.
Also Read- Government approves project to monitor social media
When asked about campaigning on social media platforms, Helal said: "It does not fall under the code of conduct of the election."
Helal however added, although there is no legal system to stop campaigning in social media, cyber-crime units of law enforcement agencies and regulatory agencies will take action against such perpetrators with the commission's consent in case of rumour-mongering and inciting violence.
The 11th general election will be held across Bangladesh on December 30.