ECI Mandates Pre-Certification Of Political Ads On TV, Social Media For Poll-Bound States

Last Updated:March 23, 2026, 10:15 IST

Further, candidates are also required to share the details of their authentic social media accounts in their affidavit at the time of filing nomination.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) instructed all political parties and candidates to obtain pre-certification for political advertisements from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) before publishing them on electronic or social media platforms during the upcoming elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, as well as bye-elections in six states.

In a press statement, released on Friday, the ECI said that under the new directive, no political advertisement shall be released on electronic media — including television, radio, AV displays at public places, e-papers, bulk SMS/voice messages or on internet-based media and social media platforms without prior clearance from the relevant MCMC.

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In the order, ECI said that any registered political party or any group of organization/association or any contesting candidate/individual is required to apply to the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for pre-certification of all political advertisements on electronic media (such as TV, Radio, AV displays at public places, e-papers, bulk SMS/voice messages) including social media before publication.

According to the order, no political advertisements are to be released to any internet-based media/websites, including social media websites, by political parties/candidates without pre-certification from the respective MCMC. MCMCs shall also keep a strict vigil on suspected cases of paid news in the media and take suitable action.

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Further, candidates are also required to share the details of their authentic social media accounts in their affidavit at the time of filing nomination.

Citing Section 77(1) of Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the directions of the Supreme Court of India, the poll body said that the political parties should also submit a statement of expenditure incurred on campaigning through internet including social media websites to the ECI within 75 days of the completion of the assembly elections.

A meeting was held on March 19, 2026, with CEOs, State Police Nodal Officers, State IT Nodal Officers from all poll-bound states and Union Territories, as well as representatives of Social Media Platforms (SMPs), to ensure strict enforcement of these provisions and to address misinformation, disinformation and fake news during the election period.

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