FEO, Online Safety Commission team up to fight election misinformation

The Fijian Elections Office and Online Safety Commission have signed a three-year partnership to combat online misinformation and protect election integrity ahead of 2026 polls.

Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said false claims about voting procedures and online harassment of candidates were “attacks on democracy itself” as she signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday.

“When false claims spread about how to vote, when candidates face online harassment, when lies are used to stop people from voting or to question the results, these are not small problems,” Ms Mataiciwa said.

The partnership will monitor harmful content on digital platforms, run joint public awareness campaigns to help citizens identify fake information, and establish clear procedures for responding to online incidents during election periods.

Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale said the collaboration was essential as technology played an increasing role in daily life.

“It’s really important for electoral integrity and the confidence and trust in the elections process,” Mr Batiwale said.

The agreement covers all forms of online harm related to elections, including AI-generated misinformation, which Mr Batiwale confirmed was already covered under current legislation being reformed.

Ms Mataiciwa said misinformation typically increases during election years, and this “action MOU” would ensure smooth complaint processes without interfering with election operations.

The FEO will provide updates on electoral activities and emerging online incidents, while the OSC will assist individuals who suffer harm through electronic communication and help combat election-related misinformation.

Both organisations will share technical expertise and create joint response mechanisms to act promptly when coordinated disinformation attacks arise.

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