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Opinion | Why democracy finds itself at a digital crossroads this year
- The integrity of votes and public trust are under siege by invisible algorithms and cyber spectres
- We must create a framework which deepens democratic engagement, enhances transparency and fortifies integrity without sacrificing privacy and security
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This year marks a pivotal moment for global democracy; countries with a combined population of more than 4 billion people – nearly half the world’s population – will be exercising their electoral rights in what promises to be an unparalleled display of democratic spirit. As people cast their ballots on an unprecedented scale, South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol has sounded a note of caution: the same technological fabric meant to unite us can also weave threads of division.
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Perhaps more than any year in the past, democracy finds itself at a digital crossroads in 2024. The integrity of every vote and sanctity of every voice are under the silent siege of invisible algorithms and cyber spectres.
One of this year’s most high-profile elections is the US general election in November, when the incumbent, US President Joe Biden, is expected to face his predecessor Donald Trump. The latter continues to insist the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Complicating the narrative in the run-up to the election are allegations on social media that a recent influx of non-citizens were illegally registering to vote as part of another episode of electoral deception by the Democratic Party. These allegations are far from concrete, but they could introduce an element of uncertainty should the scales tilt in Biden’s favour in November.
The countries engaging in democratic elections this year include some of the most populous in the world, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mexico and South Africa. Also among that number are India and Indonesia, the first and fourth-most populated countries in the world. The scale of logistics required to engage the 1.7 billion people in these two countries underscores the monumental task involved.
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Prabowo Subianto declares victory in Indonesian election as early counts give him 58% of votes
Prabowo Subianto declares victory in Indonesian election as early counts give him 58% of votes
In Indonesia, despite Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto securing an early victory in February, the shadow of a pre-election fraud investigation looms large. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems set for a third term but opposition parties have raised concerns about the integrity of electronic voting systems.
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