Fortifying Elections: Understanding and Preparing for Interference

In an era where global elections are under increasing scrutiny, safeguarding the integrity of our electoral processes has never been more vital. Election interference, a pressing issue in recent years, threatens the very foundations of democracy. By understanding and preparing for these threats, we can ensure fair and transparent elections. This post explores the impact of election interference, highlights recent examples, and introduces an election interference simulation, outlining its key aspects and objectives.

Why Preparing for Election Interference Matters

Election interference can take many forms, including cyberattacks, misinformation campaigns, and direct tampering with voting systems. These activities undermine public trust, distort electoral outcomes, and can have lasting impacts on political stability and governance. The consequences of unpreparedness are severe, ranging from the erosion of democratic institutions to heightened political polarization and social unrest.

Recent Examples of Election Interference

• 2016 U.S. Presidential Election: The Russian government’s attempts to influence this election are perhaps the most high-profile case. Tactics included hacking the Democratic National Committee’s emails and launching extensive disinformation campaigns on social media.

• 2017 French Presidential Election: Similar tactics were observed during the French elections, where phishing attacks targeted Emmanuel Macron’s campaign, leading to the release of private emails and documents just days before the vote.

• 2020 Taiwanese Elections: Taiwan faced a deluge of misinformation largely attributed to Chinese influence, aiming to sway public opinion and disrupt the electoral process. The Taiwanese government responded with a robust fact-checking initiative to counteract false information.

The Impact of Election Interference

The repercussions of election interference are profound. When foreign or domestic actors disrupt electoral processes, they not only skew results but also damage the credibility of democratic systems. Public faith in elections diminishes, voter turnout can decline, and the legitimacy of elected officials may be called into question. Moreover, the societal divisions exacerbated by interference can lead to prolonged political instability and conflict.

Parliamentary elections in Lithuania: Interference simulation at Riga StratCom Dialogue

To tackle these challenges head-on, we have created an election interference simulation for NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence’s Riga StratCom Dialogue 2024. This realistic, immersive experience is designed to prepare participants for potential threats. The simulation targets the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Lithuania, guiding players through various scenarios to enhance their readiness.

Key Elements of the Simulation

• Interactive Roles: Participants take on the role of a Political Consultancy, receiving guidance from their Director through emails that prompt investigation into specific aspects of the interference activities.

• Diverse Public Attitudes: The Lithuanian public is divided into five main categories based on their election attitudes: supporters of the three main parties, those indifferent to elections, and those against elections.

• Realistic Scenarios: The simulation’s nine serials feature different techniques aimed at undermining the electoral process and discrediting politicians. These include:
  1. Exploiting controversial topics to cast doubts on democracy.
  2. Disinformation campaigns that increase social media activity and are acknowledged by authorities and media.
  3. Cyberattacks on government election-related sites and cloning voter registration platforms to gather personal data.
  4. Spreading rumours of corruption through cloned influencer accounts, amplified by bots.
  5. Casting doubts on the electoral process by spreading false news about, for example, discarded votes and threats of militarization.
  6. Using pro-Russia accounts to spread unfounded claims of voter fraud.
  7. Creating panic with AI-generated news reports of fabricated protests.

Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of this simulation is to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to identify and counteract election interference. By navigating through these scenarios, participants will develop a deeper understanding of the tactics used by malicious actors and learn effective strategies to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Conclusion

Election interference is a significant threat to democratic institutions worldwide. By preparing for these threats through realistic simulations and proactive measures, we can fortify our electoral processes and ensure that democracy remains robust and resilient. This interactive approach not only enhances readiness but also fosters a more informed and vigilant electorate, ultimately safeguarding the future of free and fair elections.