Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar highlighted the significance of timely communication during a discussion on information dissemination strategies with over 350 media and communication officers of the ECI in New Delhi. He emphasized the need for communication to be prompt, clear, and grounded in facts and law. Kumar noted the unprecedented level of public engagement in the recent elections across five states, marking a significant milestone since independence.
The Election Commission of India’s one-day Conference for Media and Communication Officers brought together Media Nodal Officers (MNOs) and Social Media Nodal Officers (SMNOs) from all 36 States/UTs, along with District Media Nodal Officers/District PROs from states where Phase-III of Special Intensive Revision is ongoing and those heading to polls. The event saw participation from over 350 Media and Communication Officers, including MNOS and SMNOs, as well as District Media Nodal Officers/District PROs, as per an official statement.
Apart from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi also addressed the attendees during the conference. Sandhu stressed the need for communication to focus on impact rather than just input, while Joshi highlighted the crucial role of officers in ensuring that the Commission’s rules, instructions, and guidelines are effectively communicated to the public in a comprehensible manner.
The conference commenced with a comprehensive overview of communication strategies throughout the election cycle, covering aspects from roll to poll, ECINET, essential constitutional provisions, laws, recent apex court rulings, and their interaction with the media. Practical sessions were conducted on planning press notes, leveraging media and social media for amplification, countering misinformation and narratives, engaging young voters through ELCs, and disseminating ECI initiatives to the public. The event facilitated the exchange of experiences among officers from states that recently underwent elections, promoting the sharing of best practices.
