The social media will be monitored to curb the spread of rumours and propaganda ahead of the 11th Parliamentary Election slated for Dec 30, says the Election Commission.
“Round the clock surveillance will be conducted for rumours and propaganda aiming to foil the election,” its Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed told reporters on Monday (Nov 26).
Concerned authorities like the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), cybercrime unit of the police will constantly monitor the social media, said the EC official.
“Most of the Facebook ids will be watched. Anyone found to be spreading propaganda will be prosecuted upon the EC’s consent under the existing laws like the Digital Security Act and the ICT Act,“ he said
The decision came after a meeting with representatives from the telecoms regulator, mobile phone operators and law enforcers working on cyber crimes.
Responding to a query, Secretary Ahmed said, “The social media can’t be shutdown. But those who will use it to spread rumours will have to face justice.
The concerned authorities, including the BTRC will be attached to the EC during the polls, he said.