Session
Over the course of 2024, we have experienced the biggest elections megacycle in recent history. Among many other notable elements, some societies - namely the ones based in the global majority - have experienced growing cases of tech harms.
The Internet plays a crucial role in supporting citizens during elections, for example by providing access to information and enabling them to form opinions. However, the open and free nature of the Internet also exposes vulnerabilities and threats that can interfere with electoral processes, potentially causing harm.
The spread of misinformation and disinformation, hate speech, gender-based violence, attacks on information integrity and other violations of human rights, are examples of these vulnerabilities and threats. On top of the current challenges, a series of tech layoffs and setbacks in platform policies all over the world - such as the closing of tools like Crowdtangle - might have established new barriers to access to information and election monitoring.
The broader internet governance debate often intersects with Electoral and Information debates when we introduce conversations regarding political and fundamental rights such as access to information and freedom of expression, need for improved empowerment of voters, improved data governance frameworks and joint election monitoring efforts between stakeholders like Governments, academia and civil society.
This session will therefore foster a discussion on the role of stakeholders in protecting information and electoral integrity, what rights are at risk of being harmed by state and private actors before, during or after elections and what sort of policy-related solution sets could be offered through multistakeholder cooperation in order to help protect information integrity in elections. It will present existing initiatives and efforts, and address the challenges and opportunities to strengthen international cooperation in this area. The goal is to explore how we can leverage the internet to support informed citizen participation in elections, while mitigating the risks to electoral integrity.
Report
The 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Main Session "Internet Governance and Elections: Maximizing Potential for Trust and Addressing Risks." With 2024 marking the "Year of Democracy" and witnessing over 65 national elections globally, this session underscored the vital role of the Internet in shaping electoral processes.
The session emphasized the dual role of the Internet in modern elections. On one hand, digital tools have empowered voter education, participation, and transparency. On the other, they have introduced risks such as misinformation, cyberattacks, and algorithmic biases. These issues have far-reaching implications for democratic institutions and global governance frameworks.
Key Themes and Insights
1. Challenges to Electoral Integrity
Panelists highlighted several pressing issues undermining trust in elections:
- Misinformation and Disinformation: Tawfik Jelassi from UNESCO emphasized the exponential spread of false information online, which travels ten times faster than verified facts. This phenomenon erodes public trust and amplifies polarization.
- Targeted Online Harassment: Women politicians and journalists face disproportionate abuse online, as noted by Egyptian and African panellists. This deters participation in public discourse and undermines democratic representation.
- Emerging Technologies: While generative AI has not yet caused widespread harm, panelists, including representatives from Meta and UNESCO, warned of its potential to create deep fakes and other manipulative content.
- Unequal Access: Disparities in digital infrastructure, particularly in the Global South, exacerbate information asymmetry and marginalize vulnerable populations.
2. Multistakeholder Responses and Initiatives
The discussion showcased diverse strategies to address these challenges:
- Private Sector Contributions: Sezen Yesil from Meta detailed their election integrity framework, including AI-driven misinformation detection, partnerships with fact-checkers, and transparency in political advertising. Meta’s efforts to label AI-generated content and maintain an ads library were highlighted as industry best practices.
- UNESCO’s Advocacy for Media Literacy: Jelassi outlined initiatives to train journalists and empower citizens to critically assess online content. He stressed the importance of international standards for platform accountability.
- National Efforts in Lithuania: Lina Viltrakiene shared Lithuania’s holistic approach to countering disinformation, including cross-sectoral collaboration and public reporting mechanisms.
- Community-Driven Solutions: Daniel Molokele from Zimbabwe emphasized grassroots efforts to combat digital exclusion and promote credible information dissemination in Africa.
3. Broader Implications for Internet Governance
The session underscored the interconnectedness of electoral integrity and broader Internet governance issues. Rosemary Sinclair from auDA argued for the IGF’s role in fostering a cohesive global governance architecture that ensures digital tools support democracy while safeguarding human rights.
Recommendations for Action
1. Establish a Global Clearinghouse for Election Integrity
Create an internationally coordinated platform for reporting, verifying, and addressing election-related misinformation. This entity could streamline efforts across jurisdictions and foster accountability among digital platforms.
2. Strengthen Regulatory Frameworks
Develop enforceable global norms for platform accountability. Examples include requiring transparency in algorithmic decision-making and mandating swift action against coordinated disinformation campaigns.
3. Prioritize Digital Literacy and Capacity Building
Expand media literacy programs tailored to diverse audiences, including women, youth, and marginalized communities. Empower citizens to critically engage with digital content and discern credible information.
4. Foster Public-Private Collaboration
Encourage partnerships between governments, tech companies, and civil society to address cross-border challenges. Initiatives like Meta’s election integrity playbook and UNESCO’s guidelines exemplify scalable solutions.
5. Leverage Multistakeholder Platforms
Enhance the IGF’s role in aligning local, regional, and global efforts. Facilitate knowledge-sharing and capacity-building through structured collaboration among stakeholders.
Conclusion
The 2024 IGF session on electoral integrity demonstrated the need for a collective response to safeguard democracy in the digital age. By fostering collaboration, advancing regulatory frameworks, and prioritizing education, the international community can harness technology’s potential while mitigating its risks. The IGF’s multistakeholder model offers a robust foundation for driving this critical agenda forward, ensuring that the Internet remains a force for democratic resilience and trust.