AI-generated videos used to influence voters in Kerala elections
Political parties in Kerala are using AI-generated videos and synthetic media to sway voters ahead of April 9, 2026 elections. The content includes fabricated rally footage and deepfakes of political leaders, blurring the line between reality and fiction for voters.
What happened
Kerala's major political parties, including the BJP, Congress, and CPI-M, are using AI-generated videos and synthetic media to influence voters in the 2026 assembly elections scheduled for April 9. BJP candidate P R Sivasankar from Ernakulam appears in an AI-generated video leading a large procession with people holding Indian tricolours and BJP flags. Congress candidate Roji M John from Angamaly confirmed the party is using AI-generated videos to convey ideas and to target the ruling Left over the Sabarimala missing gold issue, with individual candidates also using AI to promote campaigns in their constituencies.
Reported impact
The synthetic videos and edited visuals blur the line between reality and fiction, making it challenging for voters to determine what is authentic. Some members of the public view AI-generated political content as entertainment, while others believe it can subtly influence opinions.
Index analysis
The widespread deployment of deepfake videos by multiple political parties during an election campaign represents a significant use of AI-generated synthetic media to manipulate voter perception. The content is intentionally designed to be visually striking and convincing, yet does not depict actual events.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.