Menace of misinformation: Understanding the threats and consequences on election outcomes

Democratic elections are increasingly vulnerable to the widespread and sneaky threat of misinformation, which is defined as false or inaccurate information disseminated without the intention of misleading. The swift dissemination of false information via social media, internet news sources, and messaging applications has dire ramifications that compromise the validity of election results. Ghana’s elections are frequently commended for being quiet and largely transparent. Eight nonviolent elections except the 2020 general elections where eight Ghanaian men and women were shot dead and described as criminals by the NPP government have taken place in the nation since multiparty democracy was restored in 1992, with the two major political parties—the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP)—alternating in terms of power. However, the emergence of social media platforms, greater internet access, and sharp political polarization have made Ghana vulnerable to the dissemination of misinformation.

False Election Results: The public may get confused and lose faith in the political process as a result of false information regarding election results, which is occasionally spread by partisan media sources or people and sometimes EC itself. Voters were alarmed during the 2020 elections as widespread claims on social media regarding tampered or fabricated election results spread.

Voter suppression is the employment of several strategies to dissuade or keep members of particular groups from casting ballots. Governments, political parties, and other organizations can use these strategies to sway election results. Suppression of voting can take many different forms, such as: In Ghana, false information appears in a variety of forms during election seasons.

Misleading Claims about Candidates: During campaigns, rumours concerning a candidate’s character, health, or policy stances are frequently spread. Unverified rumours, for instance, regarding a candidate’s health or personal life may sway voters’ opinions and choices.

manipulated media Increasingly, altered photos, and deceptive movies are being utilized to mislead voters. Social media users published modified films on social media during the 2020 elections, misrepresenting political leaders or events.

Consequences of Misinformation on Election Outcomes

Misinformation in Ghanaian elections can have several negative impacts on democratic processes and outcomes:

Erosion of Public Trust in Institutions: Misinformation undermines trust in key democratic institutions such as the Electoral Commission (EC), the judiciary, and law enforcement agencies. If citizens believe that the election process is compromised by false results or rumours of rigging, it could lead to a breakdown in confidence in the legitimacy of the election.

Electoral Violence and Social Unrest: In Ghana, as in many African countries, misinformation can stoke ethnic or political tensions, which may lead to violence. False claims of vote rigging, election fraud, or political assassinations can trigger anger among supporters of different political parties. Ghana has experienced localized incidents of violence during elections, and misinformation has the potential to exacerbate these tensions.

Voter Disenfranchisement: Misinformation about voter registration, polling locations, or election dates can lead to voter suppression. Confused or misinformed citizens may miss opportunities to register or vote, thus reducing voter turnout and distorting election outcomes.

Polarization and Division: Misinformation often exploits existing divisions in society, whether along ethnic, religious, or political lines. In Ghana, where politics is already deeply polarized between the NPP and the NDC, misinformation can deepen these divisions, making it harder for the country to come together post-election for national development.

Manipulation of Voter Choices: Misinformation can directly influence the choices voters make. False claims about candidates’ qualifications, track records, or policy proposals can manipulate voters’ decisions, distorting the democratic process.

Factors Contributing to Misinformation in Elections in Ghana

The democratic processes of Ghana are seriously threatened by disinformation during elections. Misinformation has been disseminated and has influenced due to several circumstances, especially over the last few elections. To properly address the issue, it is important to comprehend these aspects.

• Divisiveness in politics

The political environment in Ghana is marked by extreme polarization, especially between the country’s two main political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Because of this rivalry, which intensifies competitiveness, both parties and their supporters are more likely to discredit one another by disseminating false information.

Impact: Voters who are politically polarized are more likely to embrace and disseminate material that is inaccurate or deceptive to bolster their political opinions, which exacerbates animosity and rifts among political parties. Citizens find it challenging to participate in critical thinking or objective conversation in this climate.

2. Rise of Social Media and Instant Messaging Platforms

• Description: With the growing penetration of the internet and smartphones in Ghana, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube have become key sources of information. These platforms enable the rapid and wide dissemination of information, including unverified or false content.

Impact: Misinformation spreads quickly on social media, particularly on WhatsApp, which is widely used for group messaging. Given the encrypted nature of WhatsApp, it is difficult to track the spread of false information, and many users tend to believe and forward messages without fact-checking. Social media algorithms also amplify sensational content, making misinformation more likely to go viral.

3. Low Media Literacy

Description: A significant portion of Ghana’s population, especially in rural areas, cannot critically assess and verify the credibility of the information they consume. Many people are unaware of how to differentiate between legitimate news sources and fake news or propaganda, particularly on social media.

Impact: Low media literacy makes individuals more vulnerable to believing and spreading false information, especially during election periods when emotions run high. Citizens may unknowingly share fake news or manipulated content, exacerbating the spread of misinformation.

4. Partisan Media

Description: Some media outlets in Ghana are openly aligned with political parties or have partisan biases. These media organizations may propagate misleading or biased information in favour of their preferred political party, contributing to the spread of misinformation.

Impact: Partisan media coverage distorts facts, reinforces political biases, and can misinform the public. Since many Ghanaians trust traditional media sources like radio and television, biased reporting can have a significant impact on public opinion and voter behaviour.

Case Studies:

An important illustration of how inaccurate and misleading information may sabotage democratic processes is the misinformation that pervaded Ghana’s 2020 general election. The election, which pitted former president John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against incumbent president Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was marked by a sharply divided political environment, the rapid spread of fake news, and the use of digital platforms to disseminate false information.

1. Background of the 2020 Election

One of Ghanaian history’s fiercely contested general elections took place on December 7, 2020. While his main political rival, John Mahama, also sought reelection, Nana Akufo-Addo sought to hold office. With political rivalry, heightened emotions, and the power of social media, misinformation became a major problem as the election date drew near, an example was President Mahama’s pledge to review the free senior high school policy which the Npp interpreted to be cancelled and made all noise that when you vote for Mahama he will cancel free SHS.

Ghana’s media environment is comparatively free, but since the country’s elections, misinformation and disinformation have been more prevalent, especially on digital platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.

2. Key Examples of Misinformation During the Election

Several instances of misinformation were reported in the lead-up to and during the 2020 elections. These included false claims about the candidates, election results, and the election process itself. Some of the most notable cases are outlined below:

a. False Election Results on Social Media

Event: Early on December 8, 2020, social media platforms, especially Facebook and WhatsApp, were inundated with early and unofficial results before the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) had declared the official results. Both the NDC and the NPP were found to have shared these fabricated findings, each of which declared victory.

Impact: As a result of both parties’ supporters rejoicing and disseminating contradicting stories, this caused confusion among the general population. Party supporters became more tense as a result of the results’ early release; some believed that the election had been rigged. Voters who believe the outcome has been altered may get emboldened to protest and use violence, which makes false information about the results more dangerous

b. Health Misinformation About Candidates

Incident: Throughout the campaign, a lot of misleading information regarding the health of the two main candidates was shared on social media. Some asserted that President Akufo-Addo should not be in office since he had flown outside for medical care, while others claimed that John Mahama was gravely sick and unsuitable to govern the nation.

Impact: The purpose of this health-related disinformation campaign was to reduce public trust in the candidates, especially among voters who are still unsure. Such rumors have the unjust ability to sway public opinion and voting patterns in a nation where political outcomes are heavily influenced by an individual’s reputation.

c. Misinformation About Voting Procedures

Incident: A lot of incorrect information about voting processes, including changes to polling places and allegations of voter suppression, circulated on WhatsApp in the days before the election. While some advertisements implied that voting would not be permitted in some areas, others made misleading claims about the relocation or closure of specific polling places.

Impact: People who got this false information were confused of when or where to vote, which caused confusion and, in certain circumstances, voter suppression. Voters may lose their right to vote as a result of such misleading information, especially in rural areas where access to reliable information is scarce.

Combating Misinformation in Elections

Ghana’s response to the spread of misinformation during elections has involved a combination of government initiatives, civil society efforts, and international partnerships:

Electoral Commission Initiatives: The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has made efforts to combat misinformation by providing regular updates and accurate information about the electoral process through its website, social media channels, and press briefings. The EC also works closely with political parties and civil society to promote transparency and accountability.

Fact-Checking Organizations: Organizations like Dubawa and Fact-Check Ghana, which emerged before the 2020 elections, have been instrumental in verifying claims made by political actors and media outlets. These organizations monitor news reports, social media posts, and campaign statements, providing accurate information to the public. Dubawa, for instance, is a transnational fact-checking platform that operates in multiple West African countries, including Ghana.

Media and Journalists: Some media houses in Ghana have adopted ethical journalism practices and fact-checking mechanisms to counter the spread of misinformation. Training for journalists on identifying and reporting false information has become increasingly important. Partnerships between newsrooms and international organizations like the BBC and Reuters have also helped raise awareness about the need for accurate reporting during elections.

Government Interventions: The government has established agencies such as the Cybercrime Unit of the Ghana Police Service to monitor and investigate the spread of false information online. Additionally, legislation like the Electronic Communications Act imposes penalties for the dissemination of false information through electronic means. However, there are concerns that such laws might be used to stifle free speech, so a delicate balance is needed.

International Partnerships: Ghana has received support from international partners like the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen its capacity to deal with misinformation. These partnerships have supported efforts to ensure free and fair elections by promoting media literacy and providing technical support to Ghanaian institutions.

Conclusion

Misinformation poses a significant threat to democratic elections, requiring collective action to mitigate its consequences. By understanding the types, consequences, and factors contributing to misinformation, we can develop effective strategies to combat its spread and ensure the integrity of election outcomes.

Future Directions

Several actions can be performed to effectively combat disinformation during Ghana’s election process:

Boost Media Literacy: It is imperative to implement public education initiatives to improve citizens’ media literacy. The ability to distinguish between reliable and questionable information sources is a skill that citizens should possess. Programs for media literacy in businesses, communities, and schools would aid in halting the spread of misleading information.

Encourage Institutional Transparency: Organizations like the Electoral Commission need to keep delivering accurate, timely, and transparent information. False narratives can be refuted with the support of open communication with the media, accessible online materials, and regular press briefings.

Encourage Fact-Checking Initiatives: Fact-checking groups should receive increased funding. Collaborations with social media firms can also expedite the identification and removal of misleading content. Facebook, for instance, has started enforcing Laws Fairly: While laws exist to penalize the spread of misinformation, they must be enforced fairly without curbing free speech. Legal frameworks need to be clear and applied in ways that protect the democratic space.

Political Accountability: Political parties and candidates must be held accountable for the information they disseminate. Civil society organizations, the media, and voters must demand integrity from political actors, discouraging the use of misinformation as a political tool.

Conclusion

A major danger to the integrity of Ghana’s voting process is misinformation. Its effects include a decline in public confidence, a heightened level of political unrest, and voting decision manipulation. Even though the problem has received a lot of attention, more work has to be done to promote transparency, fact-checking, and media literacy. The government, media, civil society, and people as a whole can work together to defend Ghana’s democracy and the integrity of its elections from the threat of disinformation.

By working together, we can uphold the integrity of democratic elections and encourage voters to become more informed and critical thinkers.