Stern action against those spreading misinformation on social media during polls, says Vizianagaram SP

Vizianagaram Superintendent of Police A.R. Damodar said the department would take stern action against persons who misused social media platforms and spread ‘false information’ during the municipal, parishad and panchayat elections.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Friday (October 16, 2026), he asked everyone to cross-check posts before forwarding them on WhatsApp and other platforms. He said unverified information could lead to tension in villages and other parts of the district, and asked social media influencers not to mislead people.

“Peaceful, free and fair elections are possible only with the cooperation of the people. The department would keenly observe the movements of troublemakers. The fine up to ₹3 lakh would be imposed on the persons if bind-over rules are violated. Nearly 20,000 persons were put under the bind-over category in the district,” Mr. Damodar said.

According to him, flying squads and special police teams would patrol sensitive areas within the limits of the Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation, the Nellimarla Nagar Panchayat and 27 zilla parishad territorial constituencies to seize unaccounted money and monitor the law and order situation.

“The department would not allow money-managed elections. That is why we will observe large-scale bank transactions also apart from carrying huge amounts physically. As per rules, no one should carry more than ₹10,000 during the election period,” Mr. Damodar said.

He said the department had chalked out an action plan to manage the Vizianagaram Utsavalu, the Sirimanotsavam and the elections, which would be held in the last week of October.