From 27–28 August 2025, representatives of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), Regional Economic Communities, and election networks convened in Abuja, Nigeria, for a workshop aimed at protecting electoral integrity in Africa amid rising misinformation and disinformation. Hosted with the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions and supported by the European Union through the SPEC project, the event focused on the challenges posed by information manipulation in the digital realm, highlighting its impact on trust in democracy.
Misinformation and disinformation, particularly through social media, have increasingly threatened electoral outcomes by spreading false narratives faster than facts. This issue transcends Africa, destabilizing democratic institutions globally. The workshop emphasized the importance of structured responses over ad hoc measures, advocating for protective infrastructures like robust monitoring systems, legal frameworks, and collaboration with social media platforms.
The fight against disinformation is critical for maintaining voter agency and accountability, as manipulated information risks eroding trust in democratic processes. The Abuja workshop is part of a broader initiative by International IDEA and will inform future efforts to build resilience against misinformation in electoral processes across Africa. Participants recognized this event as the beginning of a longer journey toward safeguarding elections and reinforcing trust in democracy.
