Election Commission To Combat Deepfakes In Upcoming Elections

The Election Commission has raised concerns regarding the use of Deepfake AI, warning that strict actions will be taken against those disseminating false narratives. On Tuesday, the Commission revealed the schedule for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, along with by-elections for 47 assembly seats and the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.

Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner emphasised the need for strict measures against individuals employing artificial intelligence and deepfakes to spread misinformation about the elections. He noted that the Commission effectively managed this issue during the Lok Sabha elections by implementing continuous monitoring from control rooms.

"Deepfake is a serious issue. It is disrupting elections worldwide. We managed to control such incidents—like the misuse of someone’s photo or voice—through control rooms and social media teams established in all districts," he explained in response to a question.

Kumar further added, "In police headquarters, continuous monitoring is conducted to identify fake content and take immediate corrective action. This has led to the removal of posts in some cases and criminal action where warranted. There are still people spreading fake narratives in various ways. We are being cautious, but the moment it crosses the red line, we will take action."

Furthermore, reports indicate that the Maharashtra government allocated Rs 900 crore for advertising and public relations. The elections in Maharashtra are set for 20 November, with the counting of votes scheduled for 23 November. These advertising and PR funds were designated to promote various state welfare initiatives.