As the General Election edges closer, the Election Commission is all prepared to combat the challenge of misinformation that has the potential to cripple the democratic process. The Commission has issued stern directives and has urged vigilance and responsibility from all stakeholders. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the poll body has urged political parties to verify before amplifying any information, thereby cautioning against dissemination of false narratives.

In a bid to prevent the spread of misleading content, the Election Commission has urged all political parties to exhibit responsible behavior on social media platforms. The Commission has also appealed for a discourse that inspires unity rather than division. It has urged parties to abstain from hate speeches and refrain from exploiting caste or religious sentiments for electoral gains. The poll body has been clear in its intent of combating the perpetrators of fake news. The commission has said that the originators of false information will face severe consequences in accordance with existing laws. Nodal officers across states have been tasked with the swift removal of unlawful content to curb its negative impact on the electoral process. Parties have been asked to engage in issue-based campaigning and refrain from disseminating unverified or misleading advertisements. Commission said that the onus of upholding these principles falls squarely on the shoulders of star campaigners, who are entrusted with the responsibility of setting an example throughout the electoral campaign.