Integrated election control room, media centre set up in Srinagar

Srinagar, August 27

Srinagar district administration has setup an Integrated Election Control Room, Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) and a media centre in Srinagar for the upcoming Assembly elections.

A government spokesperson said the facilities have been set up as per the guidelines of the Election Commission (EC) at the district level to keep a close vigil on paid news, to pre-certify political advertisements and ensure smooth electoral process during the elections.

“The MCMC will also provide certification after scrutinising political advertisements to be telecast/ broadcast over TV/ radio channels/ audio - video displays/ internet-based media/ websites including social media, e-papers and cable network during Assembly elections. A dedicated email ID ‘mcmcsgr@gmail.com’ has been established for the purpose,” he said.

The media centre is also fully operational with the important responsibility of disseminating real-time information related to the election process to the public, media, political parties and other stakeholders, ensuring that all election-related developments are communicated to the public, the spokesperson said.

According to the official, a 24x7 Integrated Election Control Room is also currently in operation and is functioning round the clock to manage various aspects of the electoral process and facilitate the electorate of the district with the relevant information.

Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din, who is also the District Election Officer, said the election control room, MCMC and media centre have been established as a tool to effectively coordinate the functioning of various agencies engaged in the election process and ensure that all media content complies with EC guidelines. Besides, it will monitor paid news in the print media.

He said the step is not only aimed at making the electoral process free, fair and transparent but also to provide a level playing field to all stakeholders by providing information on a real time basis. The DC has urged all the nodal officers and other staff to work in a coordinated manner.