Following the surge in technology-related electoral malpractices all over the world as a result of the unprecedented development of technology, the Election Commission (EC) is seeking the assistance of Sri Lanka’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) and Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) to address the possible impact of such issues in the upcoming elections.

With the global spread of new technological aspects such as artificial intelligence (AI)-powered electoral malpractices, many parties, such as election monitors, have warned governments of the adverse impact of these aspects on free and fair elections, especially regarding malpractices related to propaganda.

In this context, when contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (2), the Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said that the EC is taking measures to address the relevant issues, and that it is seeking the assistance of the aforementioned State agencies in this regard. According to him, the EC has already started monitoring digital platforms and looking into the matters raised by certain complaints lodged with the EC. 

Ratnayake further noted that it is not possible for the EC to respond to all the issues alone, and that it therefore requires the assistance of other experts to prevent these technological election malpractices. However, he also said that technological aspects such as AI are not too developed to be used for grave election malpractices in Sri Lanka, but that such technology can often be used to mislead and change the minds of voters, which is an easy thing to do on social media platforms.

Meanwhile, EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told the media that the EC is currently researching how other nations handle similar threats to democratic elections.