24 April 2024 –  An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission has today published a Framework on Online Electoral Process information, Political Advertising and Deceptive AI Content (‘the Framework’) in advance of the European Parliament, local authority and Limerick mayoral elections on 7 June.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin has taken this initiative recognising that today’s online landscape is markedly different from that of the 2019 European and Local Elections. The Framework comes in response to concerns and evidence from a range of international bodies and actors including the OECD, International IDEA and the European Digital Media Observatory regarding the potential for false information, deceptive use of AI and other online activity to compromise the integrity of electoral processes and undermine democratic values and principles

The Framework is relevant both to online platforms and search engines as well as Ireland’s registered political parties and election candidates.  In preparing the Framework consideration has been given to the importance of ensuring a reasonable balance between fundamental rights such as the protection of freedom of expression and opinions, and the right to participate in public affairs and the need to protect democracy and electoral integrity.

An Coimisiún welcomes the support of Technology Ireland for this voluntary framework and has today written to all registered political parties as well as the independent parliamentary groupings asking them to publicly support the Framework and asking that candidates in the June elections voluntarily abide by its principles.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Brian Dawson, Communications and Public Engagement Manager, 

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission,

086 0749344 Brian.dawson@electoralcommission.ie 

Notes for Editors

The full text of the Framework is available at the following link:

Framework on Online Electoral Process Information, Political Advertising and Deceptive AI Content

1.This is a voluntary framework and is intended to complement existing EU and international initiatives such as ‘the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation’, ‘the AI Elections Accord’ and the EU Commission’s ‘Guidelines on the Mitigation of Systemic Risks for Electoral Processes.’

2.  The Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides An Coimisiún Toghcháin with powers relating to the regulation of online political advertising and the monitoring and investigation of online disinformation during election campaign periods. However, these parts of the legislation have not yet come into force.

An Coimisiún Toghcháin, The Electoral Commission

An Coimisiún Toghcháin is a statutory, independent body, established on 9 February 2023 with responsibility for a broad range of electoral functions set out in the Electoral Reform Act 2022. An Coimisiún is central to Ireland’s electoral system, carrying out a range of existing electoral functions, including:

• the decision-making, oversight, secretariat and supporting services associated with explaining the subject matter of referendum proposals, the promotion of public awareness of referendums and encouragement of the electorate to vote at referendum polls; and
• the conducting of reviews and making reports in relation to the constituencies for the election of members to the Dáil and the election of members to the European Parliament.
• responsibility for the registration of political parties.
• making reports for the Minister in relation to local electoral boundaries. 

An Coimisiún is also tasked with several new electoral roles, including:

• preparing research programmes and conducting research on electoral policy and procedure, and providing advice, as required, to the Minister and Government.
• promoting public awareness of, and working to increase public participation in the State’s electoral and democratic processes through education and information programmes;
• overseeing the modernised Electoral Register, making recommendations and setting standards in relation to its maintenance and updating;
• the regulation of online paid-for political advertising, ensuring transparency in respect of online political advertisements during the period of an election or referendum campaign; (Legislation not yet commenced)
• responsibility for the investigation and monitoring of online disinformation, online misinformation and manipulative or inauthentic behaviour online during election campaign periods, as well as functions to prevent manipulative or inauthentic behaviours online. (Legislation not yet commenced)
• the preparation of ex-post reports on the administration of electoral events.

It is anticipated that the initial set of functions assigned to An Coimisiún will be expanded upon as it builds capacity and expertise.