No bar on forming Cauvery Board: EC

Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat on Tuesday said the Model Code of Conduct enforced in Karnataka for the Assembly elections would not come in the way of setting up the Cauvery Water Management Board.

“Whatever is the direction or order of the court and the compliance thereof, the Commission or the Model Code of Conduct does not come in the way,” he said.

The code applies to the State and the Centre when it comes to announcement of schemes or policy decisions that may tend to influence voters. It remains in force till the election process is over.

On February 16, the Supreme Court in its judgment had directed the Central government to constitute a scheme to implement the award, while specifying annual allocation of Cauvery water to the States concerned. The order is applicable for the next 15 years.

Facebook is partner

Facebook will continue to be the Election Commission’s social media partner for spreading awareness among voters. However, the Commission will take all necessary precautions to prevent any possible adverse impact.

Following allegations that British political consultant Cambridge Analytica had harvested Facebook users’ personal data without consent, the EC had earlier said that it would consult with the enforcement agencies to put in place effective preventive mechanisms.

Asked about the allegations that mobile apps of Indian politicians and political parties shared user data with a third party without consent, Mr. Rawat said the commission’s social media hub would look into it.

Based on the social media hub’s recommendations, the EC will take a call.