The Election Commission of India has stepped up its crackdown on misleading and unlawful content circulating on social media during the ongoing 2026 general and bye-elections, stressing the importance of responsible digital conduct by all stakeholders.
In a press note released on April 19, the Commission stated that since the announcement of elections on March 15, it has identified and acted against more than 11,000 social media posts and URLs. Measures taken include removal of content, registration of FIRs, and issuance of clarifications and rebuttals.
The ECI has instructed social media platforms to remove any misleading, AI-generated, or manipulated content within three hours of being flagged. It has also made it mandatory for political parties, candidates, and campaigners to clearly label any AI-generated or digitally altered campaign material, disclosing its source to ensure transparency and maintain voter confidence.
According to the Commission, content that violates the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), spreads misinformation about the electoral process, or poses a threat to law and order is being closely monitored by State IT Nodal Officers under the IT Act.
The advisory comes at a time when Assembly elections are underway in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal.
Reiterating existing legal provisions, the ECI also pointed to Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which bars the display of election-related content during the 48-hour silence period before polling ends. Media platforms—including television, radio, print, and social media—have been directed to adhere strictly to this rule.
The Commission further highlighted strong public participation in reporting violations through its C-Vigil app. Between March 15 and April 19, a total of 3,23,099 complaints were received, of which 96.01 per cent were resolved within the mandated 100-minute timeframe.
