As the national election draws near, spreading rumours coupled with the misuse of social media platforms may mar the peaceful polls campaign, people familiar with the matter said.

In a bid to prevent any possible wrongdoings through social media, the Election Commission (EC) had sat for three times with the other government bodies.

As the EC failed to get a full assurance, it decided to set up its own social media monitoring team in coordination with others government agencies.

“The decision is taken fearing that peaceful polls atmosphere may be disrupted by spreading propaganda on social media,” EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed told Bangla Tribune.

The coordination committee is tasked with monitoring all web content related to polls including Facebook post and status, YouTube videos, and online news portals.

Sources at EC said the Commission first planned to shut down the all social media platforms for a certain period of time.

It even took regulatory bodies’ opinions including that of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) before the announcement of the 11th Parliamentary Election’s schedule.

The commission, however, backtracked after the other government organisations opposed the move citing possible counter effect.

Finally, the EC itself decided to control social media through monitoring.

Explaining how the committee works, Ahmed said, “Besides our teams, we have asked other government agencies to do the monitoring task.”

Admitting the EC’s team lacks high-powered machinery, Ahmed said, “Others government agencies will inform us if they find anything suspicious.”

EC System Analyst Farzana Akter said, “As instructed by the Commission, its team continues round-the-clock social media monitoring,”

According to this official, the EC team is yet to notice anything suspicious.

Law enforcement agencies also feared that a ring may use cyberspace, especially social media, as its tool to spread rumours and propaganda ahead of the polls.

“Cyber crimes are being treated as a big threat ahead of the national election,” police’s counter-terrorism unit chief Monirul Islam told a programme recently.

Islam urged people to bring into police’ attention if anyone finds anything objectionable on cyberspace.

Analyst, however, appreciated EC’s move on social media but warned that more provoking and inciting contents may surface days before and after the voting.

Dhaka-based Preneur Lab CEO Arif Nezami thinks tougher action on social media is highly likely on the voting day.

“The government as well as the EC may even order to block Facebook on the voting day if propaganda goes out of their control,” said Nezami.

EC official Akter echoed.

She said, “Big incidents usually take place a day ahead of and after the voting day.

“So, the EC team will strengthen the monitoring capacity as the national election draws near,” Akter added.

EC secretary Ahmed, however, warned of stern action against any wrongdoing.

“Action will be taken if anybody tries to create chaos or foil the polls by spreading rumours using the tools of communication,” he said.