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ECI Mandates 3-Hour Removal of Fake Social Media Posts in Polls

The Election Commission of India has issued strict guidelines for social media and AI-generated content during the ongoing state assembly elections. It requires political parties to remove unlawful content within three hours of notification and clearly label any synthetic or AI-altered campaign material. The Commission reported that over 11,000 violative posts have been addressed and a high percentage of complaints resolved via its C-Vigil app. These measures aim to maintain transparency, voter trust, and adherence to the Model Code of Conduct across the five poll-bound regions.

Key Points: ECI Orders 3-Hour Removal of Fake Social Media Content

  • 3-hour removal deadline for fake content
  • Mandatory AI-content labelling
  • Over 11,000 posts addressed since March
  • 96% complaint resolution via C-Vigil
  • Strict 48-hour silence period rules
2 min read

Political Parties to remove fake content on social media platforms within 3 hours of coming to their notice: ECI

Election Commission mandates political parties to remove unlawful social media content within 3 hours and label all AI-generated campaign material.

"Political parties... are required to ensure that any synthetically generated or AI-altered content... is clearly labelled - ECI"

New Delhi, April 19

The Election Commission of India on Saturday reiterated strict compliance with legal frameworks for social media and AI-generated content in the 2026 state assembly elections in five states/UT, requiring the removal of unlawful content within three hours.

The poll body noted that over 11,000 violative social media posts have been addressed since March 15, while 3,10,393 complaints were resolved via the C-Vigil app, highlighting a 96.01% resolution rate within 100 minutes.

"Political parties, candidates and campaign representatives are required to ensure that any synthetically generated or AI-altered content used for campaigning is clearly labelled as "AI-Generated", "Digitally Enhanced" or "Synthetic Content", along with disclosure of the originating entity, to maintain transparency and voter trust," said ECI in a release.

ECI further asserted that posts which are considered "MCC violations, disrupt or which have the potential to disrupt law and order, false narratives" in Assam, Keralam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are being monitored and acted upon by the concerned State IT Nodal Officers notified under the IT Act.

The Commission has reaffirmed that synthetic campaign material must be labelled and adhere to the 48-hour silence period.

"The Commission also reiterated provisions under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which prohibit the display of any election matter in polling areas during the 48-hour silence period prior to the conclusion of the poll. Media platforms, including television, radio, print and social media, are required to strictly adhere to these provisions," the poll body added.

It further highlighted that citizens, political parties, and candidates can report MCC violations using the C-Vigil Module on ECINET.

The Model Code of Conduct is in effect in Assam, Keralam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry since the announcement of the election schedule on March 15. The voting for Assam, Puducherry and Keralam took place on April 9. Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23, with West Bengal's elections scheduled on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes for all poll-bound regions would take place on May 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move, but the 3-hour window seems very ambitious. With the sheer volume of content, can the nodal officers really act that fast? The intention is right, but implementation will be the real test.
A
Arjun K
The C-Vigil app stats are impressive! 96% resolution in 100 minutes shows the system can work when citizens participate. We all have a duty to report fake content instead of just forwarding it.
S
Sarah B
As someone observing Indian elections, this proactive approach to synthetic media is more advanced than in many Western democracies. The labelling requirement is a global best practice that should be adopted everywhere.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, while the rules are good, the focus seems to be only on certain states. What about the rest of India? Fake news doesn't respect state borders. ECI needs a uniform, nationwide vigilance system.
K
Kavya N
Finally! My WhatsApp groups are flooded with unverified political forwards. The 48-hour silence period is sacred for a reason. Let people think without last-minute propaganda. Hope this brings some peace.

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