Mumbai, 19 October, 2024: The Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra has issued notices to various social media platforms, requesting the removal of 1,752 posts containing fake news aimed at misleading voters ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
According to an official release on Friday, more than 300 of these flagged posts have already been deleted.
The action was taken under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to order the removal of content linked to unlawful activities. The objectionable posts were spread across platforms, with 143 on Facebook, 280 on Instagram, 1,296 on X, 31 on YouTube, and two on other platforms.
Maharashtra’s assembly elections are scheduled for November 20.
