New Delhi, March 15 – While announcing the dates for the Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar sent a strong message on Sunday to those attempting to misuse deepfakes and AI in election campaigns to mislead voters.
"Regarding misinformation and deepfakes, our nodal officers in each state will monitor such cases and take necessary action, including removing content or filing FIRs where required," said the CEC, responding to a question from a reporter.
Reiterating the preparations of the Election Commission of India for the upcoming elections, he said, "Elections in four states and one Union Territory will be free from violence and inducement. The Commission will take strict action if anything contrary is observed."
Earlier, the CEC had stated, "Assam and Kerala will go to the polls in a single phase on April 9. The Union Territory of Puducherry will go to the polls on April 9. In Tamil Nadu, all 234 constituencies will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23."
"For the 294-member West Bengal, the polling will be held in two phases. 152 constituencies will go to the polls on April 23, while the second phase will be held for the remaining 142 constituencies on April 29," he added.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar also stated that 17.4 crore electors are eligible to vote in the four states and one Union Territory.
He said that 2.18 lakh polling stations will be set up in these states/UT, and 25 lakh personnel will be involved in conducting the elections.
The CEC said that polling percentage will be announced by poll officials every two hours.
He also said that the Commission finalised the election timetable after evaluating the election readiness in these states and UT recently.
Explaining the ECI's decision to restrict voting in West Bengal to two phases, compared to eight phases in the previous elections, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said, "We held detailed discussions, including with political parties, and after these, it was found that it would be appropriate to reduce the number of phases to make it convenient for everyone."
The Assam Assembly's term will conclude on May 20, whereas the Kerala Assembly will conclude its tenure on May 23.
In Tamil Nadu, the Assembly's term is scheduled to end on May 10, and in West Bengal, it will conclude on May 7.
Additionally, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly consists of 294 seats, Assam consists of 126, Kerala consists of 140, and Tamil Nadu consists of 234. Meanwhile, the Puducherry Legislative Assembly has a total of 33 seats.