EC asks political parties to remove fake content within 3 hours

Emphasising the imperative of ethical use of social media platforms, the Election Commission directed political parties on Monday to remove fake content from their social media platforms within three hours of such content being brought to their notice.

This is part of directives issued by the poll panel to political parties for responsible and ethical use of social media in election campaigning to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders after taking cognisance of certain violations by them.

Recently, fake videos showing Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and actors Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh were removed from specific social media accounts, and legal complaints were lodged.


The Election Commission also cautioned the political parties about the improper use of AI tools to generate deepfakes that manipulate information or spread false information and stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

"Taking cognizance of certain violations of MCC and the extant legal provisions by Political Parties/their representatives while using social media for election campaigning, the Commission today has issued directions to political parties for responsible and ethical use of social media in election campaigning to ensure level playing field among all stakeholders," an EC statement said.

"The parties have been directed to promptly remove any such content within three hours of bringing it to their notice, warn the person responsible in their party reporting unlawful information," it said.

With inputs from PTI