Helpline for poll-related complaints

Representatives of political parties expressed their concern over the misuse of social media at a meeting convened by the police department ahead of the assembly poll in Unionterritory of Puducherry.

They said defamatory posts and messages have been circulating on Facebook and WhatsApp, and insisted that the police attend to their complaints immediately.

Inspector general of police Praveer Ranjan, said a helpline number, 1950, has been set up by the election department totake special complaints. He said online complaints can be lodged on the citizen portal of the police department. He said the identity of the complainant would be kept confidential.