EC Directs Political Parties to Remove AI-Generated Misinformation Within Three Hours

Election officials in India have issued a stern warning to political parties about the misuse of artificial intelligence in campaign materials ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The Election Commission’s advisory, released Friday, emphasizes the serious threat posed by AI-manipulated content that can “masquerade as truth” in political discourse.

The commission’s latest guidance reiterates previous instructions from January and May 2024, coming in response to growing complaints from political parties accusing rivals of spreading AI-generated misinformation. Officials are particularly concerned about synthetic content depicting political leaders making sensitive electoral statements, which they say undermines the level playing field essential to democratic elections.

“Publishing and transmitting synthetically generated information is a deep threat and challenge because of its ability to masquerade as the truth,” the commission stated in its communication to party presidents, chairpersons, and general secretaries across the political spectrum.

The advisory was issued under the Election Commission’s constitutional powers ahead of the Bihar voting schedule, which takes place on November 6 and 11. Bihar, one of India’s most populous and politically significant states, has historically seen contentious election campaigns where information control plays a crucial role.

The guidance provides specific technical requirements for any AI-altered content used in campaigning. Such materials must display clear, prominent labels like “AI-generated,” “digitally enhanced,” or “synthetic content.” These disclaimers must cover at least 10 percent of the visible display area for images and videos, or the initial 10 percent of duration for audio content. For videos specifically, the label must appear at the top of the screen.

Additionally, the Election Commission mandates that the entity responsible for creating such content must be identified in either the metadata or accompanying caption, ensuring accountability and transparency.

“No content shall 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,” the advisory states unequivocally.

The commission has established a rapid response requirement as well. When AI-manipulated content is detected on official party platforms, it must be removed within three hours of being noticed or reported. Political organizations are also required to maintain detailed internal records of all AI-generated campaign materials, including creator information and timestamps, which must be available for verification upon the commission’s request.

This directive reflects growing global concerns about AI’s impact on democratic processes. India, with its massive electorate of over 900 million voters, faces particular challenges in controlling misinformation across diverse languages and regions.

The use of deepfakes and other AI-manipulated media has emerged as a significant concern in recent elections worldwide. These technologies can create convincing fake videos of politicians making inflammatory statements or engaging in fabricated activities, potentially swaying voter opinions through deception.

The Bihar elections represent a critical test case for India’s approach to AI regulation in politics. With digital literacy varying widely across the state’s population of approximately 124 million, voters may be particularly vulnerable to sophisticated AI-generated deception.

Political observers note that this advisory signals the Election Commission’s recognition of AI as a fundamental challenge to electoral integrity, not merely a technical issue. As campaigns increasingly move to digital platforms, the commission appears to be adapting its regulatory framework to address emerging technological threats while maintaining its commitment to free and fair elections.