2019 Elections and Social Media

As critical events in democratic life, elections pose extraordinary challenges to the autonomy of public opinion. This article outlines some of the regulatory challenges that have emerged in the wake of digital media expansion in India, and argues that the self-regulatory mechanism that was developed during the 2019 national elections is insufficient in addressing problems of online extreme speech, algorithmic bias, and proxy campaigns. Building on the electoral management model proposed by Netina Tan, it suggests that a critical overview of ongoing efforts can help determine the readiness of Indian regulatory structures to respond to digital disruptions during elections and emphasises the need for a co-regulatory mechanism.

In line with the global trend, social media has been increasingly used by Indian politicians for routine political communication to directly connect with their supporters. However, unethical practices online by political actors have led to a spike in violence and affected decision-making on the national security front.