Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that he will file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Election Commission of India after the conclusion of the state Assembly elections, alleging that false documents and accusations were used to influence voters.
Speaking in an interview, Sarma said the proposed PIL would raise several “serious issues” regarding the timing and intent behind allegations made against him and his wife just ahead of polling.
The Chief Minister argued that the accusations surfaced strategically before voting on April 9, with the aim of impacting the electoral outcome. He questioned the accountability mechanism if such claims are later proven false.
“If these documents turn out to be fake after the results are declared, will elections be held again?” Sarma asked, highlighting concerns over irreversible damage to the democratic process.
He further stated that if any national political party is found to have deliberately spread false information to influence voters, its registration should be cancelled.
Framing the issue as a broader threat to democracy, Sarma emphasised the need for stronger safeguards against misinformation. He said the PIL would seek to preserve the “purity of democracy” and would be filed in his personal capacity.
The Chief Minister also urged the Election Commission to introduce clear guidelines to tackle the use of deepfakes and fabricated content during election campaigns. He stressed that parties found guilty of using such tactics should face strict penalties, including possible deregistration.
Sarma warned that such practices could pose a bigger challenge in future elections, including the 2029 general elections, if not addressed urgently.
