ECI: political ads on electronic and social media need MCMC pre-certification for Bihar polls; candidates must declare social media accounts
The Election Commission said on 14 October 2025 that all political parties and candidates in the Bihar Assembly election and the bye-elections must get political advertisements on electronic and social media pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee.
Summary
The Election Commission of India said on 14 October 2025 that, by orders of 9 October 2025, every registered political party and every contesting candidate in the Bihar Assembly general election and the bye-elections to 8 assembly seats in 6 states and J&K (announced on 6 October 2025) must apply to the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for pre-certification of political advertisements on electronic media, including social media, before publication. MCMCs have been set up at district and state levels and will also watch for paid news. Candidates must give details of their authentic social media accounts when filing nominations. Under Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Supreme Court directions, parties must report social media campaign spending to the ECI within 75 days of the end of the election.
Key facts
- Order date
- 9 Oct 2025
- Elections
- Bihar Assembly + bye-elections to 8 ACs in 6 states and J&K
- Rule
- Pre-certification of political ads on electronic/social media by MCMC
- MCMC levels
- District and State
- Candidates
- Must declare authentic social media accounts at nomination
- Expenditure
- Sec 77(1) RPA 1951 — internet spending statement within 75 days
Practice MCQs 2 questions
For the Bihar Assembly election 2025, political advertisements on social media must be pre-certified by which committee?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC)
PIB (ECI): every party and contesting candidate must apply to the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for pre-certification of political advertisements on electronic media, including social media.
Consider the following statements about the ECI's October 2025 directions: 1. Under Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Supreme Court directions, parties must submit their internet and social media campaign expenditure within 75 days of completion of the election. 2. Candidates must share details of their authentic social media accounts at the time of filing nomination. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB (ECI): parties should submit a statement of internet/social media campaign expenditure within 75 days of completion of the election under Section 77(1) RPA 1951 and SC directions; candidates must share their authentic social media accounts at nomination.