Fake Narratives Threaten Electoral Integrity: EMBs Express Concerns at Delhi Conference.
New Delhi:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted a two-day international conference in New Delhi, bringing together representatives from Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of 13 countries to discuss pressing challenges and opportunities in contemporary election management. The conference, themed “Global Election Year 2024: Reiteration of Democratic Spaces, Takeaway for EMBs”, addressed key issues facing electoral systems worldwide, with a particular focus on misinformation, fake narratives, and technological advancements.
Opening the conference, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar emphasized the defining role of 2024 as a year of challenges and reaffirmation of democratic values. He highlighted the significant role that technology, including artificial intelligence, biometric authentication, and remote voting, plays in improving election efficiency and transparency. However, he also warned about the risks posed by misinformation and fake narratives, which are often deployed during critical phases of elections to undermine public trust in electoral processes.
“Fake narratives have become a serious threat to the integrity of elections, often strategically released at vital moments to manipulate public perception,” CEC Kumar said in his keynote address. He urged EMBs globally to implement strategies to combat the growing problem of disinformation and cybersecurity threats, calling for stronger international collaboration in these areas.
Several international representatives echoed these concerns. Electoral Commissioners from Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan shared their experiences with disinformation and its impact on election integrity. For instance, Abdool Rahman, Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, highlighted how fake news campaigns, including fraudulent online recruitment applications for election staff, have undermined public confidence. A representative from Namibia sought advice on countering fake news on social media, while Indonesia’s Commissioner Idham Holik discussed the use of a dedicated WhatsApp channel to address misinformation in real time.
Further discussions at the conference focused on the future of elections, with CEC Kumar highlighting key trends such as the increasing role of AI, online voting, and the need for enhanced global cooperation. He also pointed to India’s 2024 general elections, which saw a record 647 million voters participate and marked notable progress in inclusivity, particularly among women, elderly voters, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and the third gender.
Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also presented insights from India’s 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, noting the successful implementation of the election process despite its complexity. He underscored the importance of capacity building and global cooperation in safeguarding democracy.
As the conference continues, attendees are focusing on key sessions such as the role of social media platforms in election management, promoting electoral equity, and the importance of building global synergies to strengthen electoral democracies.
The conference will culminate in the creation of an Outcome Document/Declaration that reflects the shared commitment of EMBs to improving election processes and safeguarding democratic systems worldwide.