A training programme for all Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) nodal officers was organised here today in the wake of coming assembly polls in Punjab.
The programme included training on social media like Facebook, an official spokesman said, adding it was aimed at enhancing the voter knowledge for ethical and inclusive voter participation in line with the Election Commission's motto of 'No voter to be left behind'.
Nodal officers from 22 districts were apprised of the need to enhance the voter participation in coming Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections by concentrating more on the social media.
The use of print media and electronic media were also emphasised to reach to the eligible voter population, the spokesman said.
The 18-19 age groups at present is only 40-45 per cent of what is required in the electoral roll, so there is an increased awareness to be created among the eligible voter and as prospective voter for enrollment, he said.
Also SVEEP activities should be used for publicising the message for ethical voting by staying away from money, drugs, inducement and threats.
The SVEEP action plan formulated by the Punjab Chief Electoral Office should be actively implemented.
The nodal officers on media from 22 districts were also trained on media certification and paid news, he said.
The district-level and state-level committees were set up for media certification and monitoring and were given training to identify the paid news, certify the electronic and social media messages of political parties and candidates.
The committee formed at district-level and state-level to meet daily and direct concerned Returning Officers to issue notices if any against the paid news.
The confirmed cases of paid news to be added to the expenditure of the candidates, he said.
The report of the notices issued to various candidates to be updated in a portal developed by CEO office. The CEO offices will intimate the ECI for taking necessary action by bringing the notice of PCI against the concerned media house, he said.
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