The Election Commission has issued strict directions to curb misinformation and AI-generated campaign content ahead of the ongoing five-state Assembly elections. Political parties and social media platforms have been told to take down illegal or misleading posts within three hours of identifying them.
In its statement, the Commission said AI-created or digitally enhanced photos and videos used for electioneering must clearly carry labels such as “AI-generated” or “digitally enhanced”. It also asked that details of the person or organisation that created such content be clearly mentioned.
The Commission said IT special officers are closely monitoring online posts in the poll-bound states to prevent content that could disturb law and order or create a false public image. It reiterated that during the 48-hour “silence period” before polling, election-related प्रचार material cannot be broadcast on social media, TV or radio.
The elections cover Puducherry, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Polling has already been held in Puducherry, Assam and Kerala on April 9, while Tamil Nadu votes in a single phase on April 23 and West Bengal votes in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results due on May 4.
