New Delhi: Days ahead of the state assembly polls in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on October 24 issued a stern advisory to all the national and state-recognized political parties against the misuse of hyper-realistic synthetically generated information and AI-generated content during elections.
In a press release issued, the Commission highlighted that such hyper-realistic synthetically generated content including depicting political leaders making electorally sensitive message is contaminating the level-playing field in the electoral arena, disrupting fair and equal conditions for all political participants, which is a sine qua non for preserving the integrity of the political campaigning during elections.
The release further noted that “The use of technology for creating, generating, modifying and altering information and publishing and transmitting synthetically generated information is a deep threat and challenge because of its ability to masquerade as the truth and unwittingly trap political stakeholders into incorrect conclusions and therefore, ECI finds it particularly imperative to ensure that transparency and accountability is maintained to preserve electoral integrity and voter trust.”
The release by the poll panel mentioned that it had already issued guidelines regarding responsible and ethical use of social media platforms and addressing concerns around labelling of synthetic and AI generated contents used by political parties in May last year and January of this year.
The poll body stated that in view of the increasing threat posed by the deep fakes and synthetically generated content capable of manipulating the electoral process, the Commission reminds all the political parties of their responsibility to ensure compliance with the IT rules 2021, and all guidelines and advisories issued by the Commission in this regard.
#ECI issues advisory for Political parties, candidates, and campaign representatives on responsible use and disclosure for synthetic/AI generated information/content during elections.
Read more : https://t.co/WFH5TCDo5s pic.twitter.com/5FQcKI5fGq
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) October 24, 2025
It noted that the directions are being issued as per Commission’s plenary powers under Article 324 of the Constitution, which grants it superintendence, direction, and control over electoral processes.
The Commission also reiterates the emphasis on the need for strict compliance by all political parties with the due diligence obligations and content related responsibilities prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021 to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
Directives for political parties, candidates and campaign representatives
The Commission directed all the political parties, candidates and campaign representatives to ensure that any synthetically generated or AI-altered image, audio or video used or disseminated for campaigning purposes shall bear a clear, prominent materials must carry a clear, prominent, and legible label—such as “AI-Generated,” “Digitally Enhanced,” or “Synthetic Content”—covering at least 10% of the visible display area (or initial 10% duration for audio).
It noted that the label in the case of video content shall be carried as part of the top hand of the screen.
The poll panel further stated that every such content shall prominently disclose the name of entity, responsible for its generation in the metadata or accompanying caption.
The directions issued by the Commission further underscored that no such content should be published or forwarded which is unlawful and misrepresents the identity, appearance or voice of any person without his consent in a manner reasonably likely to mislead or deceive the electorate.
It noted that any such contents detected on official party handles shall be taken down within 3 hours of being noticed or reported.
The poll body stated that all the political parties shall must maintain internal records of all AI-generated campaign materials, including creator details and timestamps, for verification when required by the Commission.
State assembly polls are scheduled to be held in Bihar under two phases on November 6 and 11 with results to be announce on November 14.
