FB to encourage new voters to cast ballots

Social media platform Facebook, in a bid to encourage voters said it will issue a message encouraging all eligible Sri Lankans to cast their votes and would provide details to those seeking information about the nearest polling stations, a Spokesperson for the platform said.

“We supported My First Vote organization as they launched their campaign to encourage new voters to participate in this year’s presidential elections,” the FB official told the Sunday Times.

Countering criticisms levelled at it for the delay in tackling hate speech and misinformation campaigns, the official said - “We have worked with the Elections Commission as well as political parties and candidates to inform them about our Community Standards, and how to report content that they believe violates both our Community Standards and local laws, including regulations around blackout periods.'

Meanwhile the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), which monitored social media during the silent period reported 356 violations under the following categories :

Reported Violations- 3 
False News– 120 
False News causing Harm– 9
Harassment– 17 
Hate Speech-83

(Reporting by Sandran Rubatheesan)