India, Oct. 9 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed political parties, candidates and campaigners to strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in election campaigns, following the announcement of the Bihar assembly elections and bye-elections to eight constituencies on October 6.

In a press note issued on Thursday, the ECI said, "The Commission advised the parties against misuse of AI-based tools to create deep fakes that distort information or propagate misinformation over social media platforms."

It added that "criticism of other parties when made shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work," and warned that "criticis...