In view of the upcoming Assembly Elections in Bihar and Bye-Elections in other States, the Election Commission has asked the political parties and candidates not to release political advertisements on any internet-based websites, including social media websites. It has asked not to release advertisements without pre-certification from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee.

The Commission said that committees have been constituted at the District and State levels for pre-certification of political advertisements as per the prescribed guidelines. Noting the penetration of social media in the electoral landscape, the Commission has instructed the candidates to share the details of their authentic social media accounts at the time of filing nomination.

The Commission said, political parties should also submit a statement of expenditure incurred on campaigning through the internet, including social media websites, to it within 75 days of the completion of the assembly elections.