This is to inform the general public that as per Section 6.10 of the Media Coverage of Elections Rules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2018, the Office of the Media Arbitrator is required to monitor all media coverage including social media during the Election Period, to ensure free and fair conduct of Elections.
In this regard the general public and all Social Media users are being notified that any post, tweet, comment or opinion of a Candidate or their authorized representative must be in conformity with the Election Code of Conduct.
Specifically, Section 7.1 and 7.2 of the ECB Social Media Rules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2018 states that:
“Third Party Election Advertising conducted under false identity by the contesting Candidate, Party or Representative or any individual shall be regarded as a criminal offence and prosecutable under the Electoral Laws.”
“Third Party Election Advertising or any political advertising in print, broadcast or online on behalf of a Political Party or a Candidate shall be prohibited if run by any individual other than a registered member of a Political Party or Candidate or their election representative with the purpose of promoting or opposing, directly or indirectly, a Political Party or Candidate contesting in an election.”
Hence, all are urged to use Social Media with responsibility and refrain from using under anonymous identity or fake addresses or carry out activity or post content that may adversely affect or unduly benefit the electoral prospects of a Candidate.
Office of Media Arbitrator
Election Commission of Bhutan
