CEC Rajiv Kumar declares crackdown on fake news during visit to review election preparations

Mumbai, Sep 28 (PTI) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Saturday ordered a crackdown on fake news on social media in Maharashtra, where assembly elections will be held later this year, sources said.

Kumar, along with his fellow Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu, reviewed election preparations in Maharashtra and also directed police officials in the state to expedite investigations into election offenses lodged in the state during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year.

The Election Commission, which is in Mumbai to review election preparations in Maharashtra, met district election officers (DEOs), superintendents of police, municipal commissioners, district commissioners and other senior officials of the state government.

Taking a clear view, the CEC clarified that the game of fake news should not be allowed to take over on social media and directed officials to ensure quick response and action against the menace.

The CEC reviewed the minimum secured facilities at all polling stations and directed the DEOs to ensure proper management of voter queues on polling days in the state.

He also directed the DEOs to personally visit polling stations to check all arrangements and asked them to ensure benches for voters in queue, drinking water and parking of vehicles for polling booths in crowded areas.

The CEC also asked DEOs to ensure proper signage and directions to guide voters when there are multiple polling stations at one location.

The commission also inquired from police commissioners about the status of electoral offenses related to FIRs in Lok Sabha elections and directed the review of all cases related to personnel, EVMs and social media.

CEC Rajiv Kumar and his fellow Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and SS Sandhu are on a two-day visit to Maharashtra.

The term of the Maharashtra Assembly ends on November 26 and elections are expected to be announced next month.

(This report was published as part of the auto-generated syndicated wire feed. No modifications were made to the copy by ABP Live other than the headline.)

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