With Bihar gearing up for the first phase of its Assembly polls on November 6, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a strict directive: mass SMS and audio messages are now forbidden during the 48-hour ‘silence period’ that precedes the end of voting.
In a detailed notification released on October 9, the ECI clarified its campaign guidelines. It explicitly stated that all forms of political advertising—whether on TV, cable, radio, in cinema halls, or through bulk SMS/voice messages and audio-visual displays—are banned within any polling area during the 48 hours leading up to the close of voting.
Furthermore, in a statement on Tuesday (October 14, 2025), the ECI announced that all political advertisements across electronic media, including social media platforms, must undergo pre-certification by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) before they are published. This applies to all registered national and state political parties, as well as individual contesting candidates.
To enforce these rules, Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMCs) have been established at both district and state levels. Their role is to ensure all political advertisements meet the stipulated guidelines before public release.
The Commission emphasized that no political advertisements are permitted on any internet-based media or social media platforms by parties or candidates without obtaining prior certification from the relevant MCMC.
Beyond pre-certification, the MCMCs will also diligently monitor for any instances of ‘paid news’ in the media, promising prompt and appropriate action against violators.
Recognizing the significant impact of social media in modern elections, candidates are now required to provide details of their official social media accounts when submitting their nominations.
In accordance with electoral law and Supreme Court directives, political parties must also submit a comprehensive statement detailing all expenditures related to online campaigning, including social media, to the ECI within 75 days following the conclusion of the assembly elections.
This mandated expenditure report will cover payments made to internet companies and websites for advertisements, as well as costs associated with content creation and operational maintenance of their social media presence, as highlighted by the election watchdog.
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to unfold in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the vote counting slated for November 14.