Maharashtra Poll Body Orders Removal of 1,752 Fake News Posts from Social Media

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 19th Oct. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Maharashtra has issued notices to various social media platforms, instructing them to remove 1,752 posts flagged for spreading fake news and creating confusion among voters. This action is part of efforts to ensure a fair electoral process as the state prepares for assembly elections on November 20.

According to an official release on Friday, over 300 of these flagged posts have already been deleted by social media platforms after intervention by the election authorities. The notices were issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, empowering law enforcement agencies to order the removal of content that could be used for unlawful activities.

The flagged posts included 143 on Facebook, 280 on Instagram, 1,296 on X (formerly Twitter), 31 on YouTube, and two on other platforms. Since the notices were sent, Facebook has removed 16 posts, with 127 still pending action. Instagram has deleted 29 posts, X has taken down 251, and YouTube has removed five posts.

Additionally, the release highlighted that 420 complaints of election code violations were received through the Election Commission’s c-VIGIL app, out of which 414 complaints were resolved. Thane district recorded the highest number of complaint disposals.

Since the implementation of the election code of conduct earlier this week, authorities have recovered material worth ₹10.64 crore, including cash, drugs, liquor, and expensive freebies. The move aims to curb any malpractices that could influence the upcoming elections.