Election Commission of India warns against AI-generated deepfake videos in Assam election

Summary

Ahead of the Assam legislative assembly election, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a warning about the misuse of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in political campaigning. A controversial AI‑generated video that appeared to show Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shooting members of a minority community sparked outrage, leading to police complaints, FIRs and court petitions. Both the Assam BJP and the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee were reported to have shared AI‑assisted videos and graphics on social media, prompting calls for stricter regulation. Legal experts noted that existing provisions of the Information Technology Act would have to be used in the absence of specific AI legislation.