New Delhi: After the announcement of the Bihar Assembly Election and the Assembly by-elections in various states, the Election Commission (ECI) is closely monitoring social media posts to ensure that the electoral atmosphere is not spoiled and equal opportunities are available for all parties and candidates.
Elections to the 243-member Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, while bypolls to eight assembly seats in seven states including Telangana, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir will be held on November 11. Counting of votes will take place on November 14.
Elections should be held before the term of the Bihar Assembly ends on November 22. By-elections to assembly seats are being held due to death, resignation and disqualification of existing members.
“Sources in the Election Commission told ETV India on Thursday that, “”The model code of conduct has come into force in Bihar and those constituencies where the election schedule has been announced by the Election Commission earlier this week.” These rules also apply to content being shared by candidates and political parties on the Internet, including social media.
“Referring to the social media surveillance in the Bihar Assembly elections, he said, “”A media cell is being set up at the CEO level.” Media cells are also being set up by the commission in every district. The local police is also involved. They are keeping an eye on any fake stories or inflammatory posts. If such a post comes out, the media cell will immediately counter it.
Sources said that if a political party or candidate makes such a post on social media, its content will be seen and if the model code of conduct is violated, notices will be issued to the parties or candidates concerned.
Referring to the assembly bypolls in various states, he said the survey has made similar arrangements to monitor social media and combat misinformation. Sources said the primary objective of the initiative is to ensure equal opportunities and free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has directed political parties to follow the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and relevant guidelines on the use of AI for synthetic videos targeting rival parties or candidates. According to the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, criticism of other parties should be limited to their policies and programs, past records and actions. Parties and candidates should refrain from criticizing all aspects of the personal lives of leaders or activists of other parties that are not associated with public activities.
Instructions against misuse of AI based tools
The Election Commission said that criticism of other parties or their workers on the basis of unverified allegations or distortion should be avoided. Emphasizing the need to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process, the ECI advised political parties against the misuse of AI-based tools to create deep fakes to distort information or spread misinformation on social media platforms.
“All political parties and their leaders, candidates and star campaigners have to take necessary measures to prominently mark the AI-generated/artificial content, if any, being shared for publicity through their social media platforms or in the form of advertisements,”” the directive said.” The commission said it has made extensive arrangements to effectively implement the guidelines of the Model Code of Conduct. Any violation of these guidelines will be dealt with strictly.
