The Institute of Company Secretaries of India ( ICSI ) has prohibited the election candidates of election from soliciting the members through social media.
The term of the existing Council and the Regional Councils will expire on 18th January 2019 and the elections for the new Council / Regional Councils will be held during the month of December 2018.
In a recent communication, the Institute noticed that it has been brought to the notice that on social media accounts viz. Facebook, Whatsapp, etc., of the candidates for election to the Council/ Regional Councils – 2018 are having contents, images, photographs, appeals etc., in relation to the election are not in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Election Code of Conduct dated 10th September 2018, directives and the Company Secretaries (Election to the Council) Rules, 2006.
“Any appeal(s)/ communication(s) by the candidates to the voters in relation to the election to the Council/ Regional Councils – 2018 in any form other than the manifesto or circular issued under Rule 42 of the Rules, including posting of contents, images, photographs, appeals etc., on social media, contravenes the Election Code of Conduct dated 10th September, 2018, directives and the Rules,” the ICSI said.
It also reminded that the candidates contravening the Election Code of Conduct dated 10th September 2018, directives and the Rules are subject to disciplinary action under the provisions of the Company Secretaries Act, 1980.
