Tech-savvy Delhi SEC to use WhatsApp
Poll body to use app to convey details on civic polls to officers.
New Delhi: On the lines of the directives of the EC, the Delhi State Election Commission (SEC) is likely to create a WhatsApp group for its officers to convey all urgent information related to the upcoming municipal elections in the national capital. The SEC is also in the process of debarring its officers from using their mobile phones during the meetings related to civic polls.
Considering the need for a faster communication between the commission and its officers, a source said that a WhatsApp group will be created so that important developments related to the civic polls and other security measures are conveyed at the earliest. “The SEC expects that information regarding any important incident or issue, having election-related implications, must immediately be brought to its notice through the WhatsApp group.”
A senior officer said that officers would also be required to send their reports to the commission by e-mail within an hour of any incident coming to light. “The deputy election commissioners and the police officers will be informed telephonically and fully kept in the loop about any such incident,” the officer said.
The commission is going to make it clear that the facility of near-instant and faithful transmission of data through WhatsApp has to be used intelligently and constructively to keep an alert and vigilant eye on the election process in the field and not for exchanging trivia or frivolous pleasantries. The officers, however, would not be required to share any top secret or sensitive information on WhatsApp. “Such information has to be conveyed through other safe means,” it said.
On the lines of the Union Cabinet, the SEC is reportedly going to direct its officers not to use mobile phones during election-related meetings. The officers will be required to put their phones in switch-off or silent mode before attending these meetings. It is likely to instruct its officers to remain punctual in all election-related meetings and adopt a dignified conduct in reviewing or assessing any poll-related matter.