Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 26 February 2024
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a stern warning to the public regarding the proliferation of fake news surrounding the schedule for the General Elections to Lok Sabha – 2024. Reports have surfaced indicating that misinformation regarding the election dates is being disseminated across various social media platforms, particularly on WhatsApp. The Election Commission has unequivocally stated that the circulated message is fraudulent, emphasising that no official dates for the elections have been released by the commission thus far.
In response to this alarming trend, Mr. B S Jaglan, IAS, the Chief Electoral Officer of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has urged citizens to exercise caution and refrain from forwarding any such misleading messages. He stressed the importance of obtaining information solely from credible sources, including the official website and social media channels of the Election Commission of India, as well as directly contacting the Returning Officer at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Parliamentary Constituency Office for verification purposes.
The Election Commission has reiterated that the authentic schedule for the General Elections to Lok Sabha – 2024 will be officially announced through a press conference. In light of this development, the commission urges the public to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information that could potentially sow confusion and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
This alert serves as a reminder of the critical role each citizen plays in upholding the sanctity of democratic procedures, and emphasises the need for responsible behaviour when engaging with information, particularly in the realm of elections.