General Observers for Srinagar inspect MCMC, Election Control Room

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 11: The General Observers on Legislative Assembly election for Srinagar, Sandhya Bhullar, Chandresh Kumar Yadav and Akhilesh Kumar Mishra today visited Media Certification and Monitoring Centre (MCMC) and reviewed it’s functioning. District Election Officer, Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat accompanied the General Observers during the visit. During the visit, the team of Observers sought details of action taken to ensure free, fair and transparent elections with respect to media coverage in Print, Electronic and Social Media. The Observers also interacted with the team of officers and officials of MCMC and enquired about various activities carried out during the current Legislative Assembly elections. On the occasion, Nodal Officer MCMC briefed the Observers regarding Certification of Political Advertisements, Monitoring of Paid News and other election related content shared on local TV Channels, Social Media channels and on different platforms which is being monitored by the MCMC team. Nodal Officer, MCMC informed that the team has taken suo-moto cognizance of various MCMC & MCC violations and served notice to media platforms in various cases and got the content removed. They were apprised that the team is scanning local Newspapers daily and submitting daily reports to the concerned authorities. The Observers also checked the sample videos uploaded on Social media platforms which had been categorized under MCMC/MCC violation. On the occasion, the Observers appreciated the work done by the MCMC team to ensure a level playing field in the media. Meanwhile, the officers also inspected the Integrated Election Control Room to take stock of calls and grievances of voters received by the officials and the number of grievances addressed. They were informed that more than hundred grievances from voters were received which were promptly addressed. The General Observers later also visited other offices set up by the District Administration for the smooth conduct of elections.