In a groundbreaking move, India’s Election Commission is set to harness artificial intelligence to educate voters ahead of upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and two other states. This innovative campaign aims to demystify key electoral processes and boost participation.
The commission has issued an open call to media agencies, creative professionals, and the public to produce AI-generated awareness videos. These short films will spotlight critical topics like how Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) function, the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), ethical voting practices, and the importance of voting without fear or inducement.
This initiative falls under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, the Election Commission’s flagship voter outreach effort. Traditionally, SVEEP has relied on short films, jingles, songs, and ads from media houses. But this marks the first time AI technology has been officially encouraged for creating such content.
According to an official notification, all AI-based videos must be conversational and easy to understand. Submitted scripts will undergo scrutiny, with approval from the election department required before production begins. Strict guidelines ensure the content remains apolitical, neutral, and free from bias.
Videos can be made in Tamil or English, with English subtitles mandatory for Tamil productions to maximize reach. Approved projects will receive Rs 50,000 in financial assistance. Alongside AI content, celebrity-endorsed voter awareness videos are also planned.
The final videos will be optimized for theaters, TV channels, and social media platforms. Election officials believe integrating AI will make messages more impactful, potentially launching a nationwide, non-partisan ‘Go Vote’ campaign in true Indian style.
This tech-forward approach could redefine voter education, making elections more transparent and inclusive across the country.