EC directs political parties to get advertisements pre-certified

Ahead of the Assembly polls in four States and one Union Territory, the Election Commission (EC) on Friday (March 20, 2026) directed political parties to get their advertisements pre-certified by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) and individual candidates to share details of their authentic social media accounts at the time of filing nominations.

Assembly polls for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-elections in six States are scheduled to be held between April 9 and April 29.

The electoral body has issued orders requiring any registered political party or any group, organisation or association or any contesting candidate or individual to apply to the MCMC for pre-certification of all political advertisements on electronic media (such as TV, radio, audio-video displays at public places, e-papers, bulk SMS/voice messages) including social media before publication.

“No political advertisements are to be released to any internet-based media or websites, including social media websites, by political parties or candidates without pre-certification from the respective MCMC,” the EC said in a statement here.

Vigil on paid news

MCMCs shall also keep a strict vigil on suspected cases of paid news in the media and take suitable action, it said.

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

Individuals or contesting candidates can apply for certification of advertisements with District MCMC. All registered political parties headquartered in a State/U.T. can apply for certification of such advertisements with the State-level MCMC. The applications must be submitted within the specified timelines.

Expenditure incurred online by parties

The EC has also asked political parties to submit a statement of expenditure incurred on campaigning through internet including social media websites to the Commission within 75 days of the completion of the Assembly election as per provisions of Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the directions of the Supreme Court.

Such expenditure, among other things, shall include payments made to internet companies and websites for carrying advertisements and campaign-related expenditure on development of content, and operational expenditure incurred to maintain their social media accounts.

In this regard, a meeting was held with the CEOs, State Police nodal officers, State IT nodal officers of all poll-bound States/U.T. and the representatives of social media platforms on March 19 to sensitise them about the above provisions and to ensure timely action against reported instances of misinformation, disinformation and fake news during elections, the Commission’s statement said.