'Maintain Transparency And Accountability': Election Commission Asks Parties To Label AI-Generated Content During Campaigning Ahead Of Delhi Polls

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued an advisory to political parties regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigning during the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025. The ECI asked political parties to appropriately disclose and label AI-generated synthetic content.

The development came days after Five first information reports (FIRs) were reportedly lodged against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Out of these, four were for uploading ‘AI-generated’ videos and photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders, reported Hindustan Times. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was named in the fifth FIT for allegedly making remarks against Purvanchalis.

EC's Advisory:

“In recent years, advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have enabled the creation of highly convincing synthetic content, including images, video and audio. With the increasing use of AI technologies in political campaigning, it is essential to maintain transparency and accountability, as the AI-generated content including images, videos and audio has the potential to influence voter opinion and trust,” the poll body said in its advisory.

The commission asked political parties and their representatives to refrain from using in their campaigns any AI-generated distorted/manipulated content which spreads fake information, misinformation or disinformation.

“Now considering the deepening influence of ΑΙ generated/synthetic content in shaping public opinion, the Election Commission of India advises all Political Parties and their leaders, candidates and star campaigners to also take necessary measures for prominent labelling of Al-generated/synthetic content, if any, being shared for campaigning through their social media platforms and other media platforms,” the ECI said.

It further stated that labelling of Al-generated content would ensure responsible and transparent campaigning and informed voters.

The assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled to take place in a single phase on February 5. The votes will be counted on February 8. Delhi will witness a fierce electoral battle between the ruling AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile, the Congress will also be eying to increase its vote share in these polls as compared to the previous two Delhi assembly polls.

Published on: Thursday, January 16, 2025, 02:16 PM IST