Maria do Rosário Gonçalves emphasized the critical need to bolster the “resilience of democracy” by implementing “preventive measures to combat disinformation” during electoral cycles. The president of Cape Verde’s National Electoral Commission (CNE) stressed on Wednesday October 16 that the country must adopt legal and regulatory actions, particularly concerning social media, to counter misinformation in elections.
“It is essential for the country to take proactive steps to fight disinformation and safeguard the truth, thereby strengthening the resilience of our democracy,” Gonçalves stated in Praia. Speaking at a meeting focused on preserving electoral integrity in the face of misinformation, she highlighted the need for “legal regulation of social media platforms and artificial intelligence.”
“This regulation is both necessary and urgent,” she added. Gonçalves further pointed out that the spread of disinformation on social media, misuse of artificial intelligence, and attempts to illegitimately access citizen and voter data pose significant threats to democracy. These risks, she warned, can lead to a breakdown in trust in institutions, endanger human rights, and cause political destabilization.
Although Cape Verde currently lacks specific legislation to address these issues, Gonçalves proposed strategies to mitigate the effects of disinformation. She called for partnerships with social media platforms, the creation of fact-checking networks involving media and civil society, and campaigns to promote ethical and transparent use of digital tools.
Cape Verde is expected to register at least 23,000 new voters for the municipal elections scheduled for December 1st. In May, African communications regulators, during a meeting in Cape Verde, also expressed the need to revise laws to address the spread of information in the digital space, particularly content not produced by journalists.