The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia has published its latest Information-Space Survey Report. The monitoring of the information environment was carried out by the Strategic Communications Department of the CEC of Georgia — Information-Analytical Division — using qualitative, sociological, and quantitative research methods. The document covers the period from July 1 through October 31 of the current year.

According to the report, a total of 902 pieces of information were processed. Monitoring and analysis of daily disseminated information revealed numerous attempts by various interested parties to discredit the Election Administration, its leadership, and the Municipal Election process, including the spread of disinformation, manipulative content, and reputationally damaging statements.

Of the processed materials, 143 were identified as disinformation, 128 as manipulation, and 8 as reputationally damaging. The main disseminators of discrediting information were individual media outlets, members of political parties, non-governmental organizations, and international actors. Observation of the information space clearly demonstrated that interested actors were engaged in a coordinated campaign aimed at discrediting the CEC and its leadership by disseminating identical disinformation and manipulative narratives. Such rhetoric was likely intended not only to create or reinforce incorrect public perceptions of the CEC’s leadership, but also to damage the image of the EA overall and thereby undermine confidence in the ongoing electoral process.

It is noteworthy that, in order to disseminate disinformation narratives, interested parties employed the same schematic pattern. Specifically, a wave of disinformation typically originated with a particular actor posting incorrect and manipulative content on social media regarding a specific issue. This was then followed by the expansion and interpretation of the topic by various media outlets, as well as through statements made by politicians and representatives of non-governmental organizations. These actions were driven not by objective assessment, but by politically motivated positions aimed at discrediting the EA and, more broadly, the electoral process.

During the reporting period, observation of the information space revealed that the disinformation campaigns conducted by interested parties were aimed at deliberately misleading the public. The presumed objective of these actors was to discredit the October 4 elections and to foster distrust toward the Municipal Elections among the public.

It is evident that disinformation campaigns pose a risk of artificially undermining public confidence in the elections. This once again demonstrates that targeted manipulation of the information environment constitutes a significant challenge—one that requires continuous monitoring and appropriate response to ensure that the public receives verified and accurate information.

For this purpose, the Information-Analytical Division conducts monitoring of the information space both during and outside the election period. This ensures that, in the event disinformation related to electoral matters is identified, timely and appropriate responses are carried out and the public is provided with verified and accurate information.