📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Samratudhd
Politics
Election Commission clarifies stance on SIR amid debate over 7 lakh deletions in Bihar
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 28 Sep 2026, 12:16 AM
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The Election Commission has issued a clarification on the Social Intermediary Regulations (SIR), while leader Samrat Choudhary noted that the massive 7 lakh content deletions in Bihar have gone unchallenged.
New Delhi – The Election Commission (EC) released a statement today to clarify its position on the Social Intermediary Regulations (SIR), a set of rules governing online platforms during elections. The clarification comes after criticism that the EC had not addressed concerns about large‑scale content removals in Bihar.
Samrat Choudhary, a prominent political figure from Bihar, responded to the EC’s statement by pointing out that the deletion of approximately seven lakh posts or messages in the state had not been questioned by any authority. He argued that the lack of scrutiny raises doubts about the transparency of the enforcement process.
The EC’s clarification reiterates that any action taken under SIR must adhere to due process and be proportionate to the objective of ensuring free and fair elections. It also emphasized that the commission remains vigilant in monitoring compliance by social media intermediaries.
Observers note that the issue highlights the tension between curbing misinformation and preserving freedom of expression online, especially in the run‑up to upcoming state elections in Bihar.
The commission has not indicated any immediate policy changes, but the statement signals its intent to address public concerns while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Samrat Choudhary, a prominent political figure from Bihar, responded to the EC’s statement by pointing out that the deletion of approximately seven lakh posts or messages in the state had not been questioned by any authority. He argued that the lack of scrutiny raises doubts about the transparency of the enforcement process.
The EC’s clarification reiterates that any action taken under SIR must adhere to due process and be proportionate to the objective of ensuring free and fair elections. It also emphasized that the commission remains vigilant in monitoring compliance by social media intermediaries.
Observers note that the issue highlights the tension between curbing misinformation and preserving freedom of expression online, especially in the run‑up to upcoming state elections in Bihar.
The commission has not indicated any immediate policy changes, but the statement signals its intent to address public concerns while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.