As US election day approaches, misleading allegations and false information about voter and voter fraud are spreading online at an unprecedented rate. Allegations of alleged irregularities have been circulated by various individuals, including independent and pro-Republican groups. But a small number of posts are also coming from Democrats. This storm of allegations of fraud, irregularities spreading online has become a challenge for election officials. Apart from preparing for polling on Tuesday (November 5), they also have to reassure voters by dealing with rumours.
In almost every case, the online posts support the false claims of Republican candidate Donald Trump's campaign. It is said that the former president won the 2020 presidential election. He may be defeated again by cheating in the November 5 elections.
Asked whether he would accept the results of the 2024 election, Donald Trump said during the September presidential debate that he would accept the results if there was a 'fair and legitimate and good election'.
But a CNN-SSRS poll released Monday showed that 70 percent of Americans think Trump will reject the results if he loses.
This week, Trump himself claimed widespread voter fraud in the swing state of Pennsylvania. Trump said in a post on his social media site Truth Social, “We saw them cheating on a large scale in Pennsylvania.” For this he also demanded trial on criminal charges.
In the wake of Trump's allegations, election officials are working with law enforcement officials in three Pennsylvania counties to investigate potential voter registration applications and fraud. They are urging voters to be wary of half-truths and misinformation spread on social media.
A stream of confusing information
The British media BBC reported that it had investigated hundreds of allegations of electoral fraud on social media, message boards and chat groups. Some of these posts have been viewed millions of times
The posts indicate that it is easier for non-citizens to vote. Posts about voting machines make false claims and spread distrust in the ballot counting process. Recently arrived Haitians in Georgia claim to be seen voting in a video.
The BBC found clear indications that the video was fake, including false addresses and stock photos. U.S. security officials said on Friday it was made by the Russians. There are some other fake posts as well.
Echoes of 2020
Experts have expressed concern that the spread of such false, misleading information before the election could undermine public confidence in the election results. Moreover, the situation may turn violent on election day and beyond. As has happened before.
After the 2020 presidential election, Trump made allegations of fraud on social media during vote counting. Claims himself the real winner. His supporters then started a movement with the slogan 'Stop the Steel' and tried to change the result; The culmination of which was the United States Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
Groups monitoring such activity say the spread of fake and fake news has started before election day this year. Wendy Via, founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, said some far-right and far-right activists are instead preparing themselves to steal the election.
After the 2020 election, Trump's team filed more than a dozen lawsuits alleging voter fraud in multiple states, but none were successful.
Isolated cases of fraud are exaggerated
Experts say that isolated cases of vote fraud and administrative errors occur in US presidential elections. It is common in polling and voter management across all 50 states. But the real events are now being exaggerated and shared online.
Dozens of ballots found in sewers in Southern California. Although the cause is unknown, the incident has been publicized online as a case of deliberate fraud.
The parties behind the accident
A party network is alleged to have facilitated claims of electoral fraud circulating on social media.
Groups like Texas-based True The Vote, founded in 2009, have long raised questions about election security. On an app they created called 'VoteAlert', supporters post examples of alleged election irregularities.
The BBC has contacted True The Vote for comment. Catherine Engelbrecht, the organization's founder, has indicated that groups affiliated with Democrats are planning massive election fraud. But they probably won't, he warns, because we literally have eyes everywhere.
Bad information will continue to spread
Election officials are working very hard to conduct elections properly. Still, some bad information will continue to circulate, notes Luis Lozada of DemocracyWorks. The wave of misinformation will continue in the post-election period. As a result
It may take several days to count all the votes and determine the winner, he said.
