Sydney (Media Release, NSW Electoral Commission, 9 Sep 2024): The NSW Electoral Commission has launched a suite of measures to deliver the 2024 NSW Local Government elections safely and transparently in an environment where voters are increasingly exposed to false and misleading narratives about electoral processes.
The 2024 NSW Local Government elections will be held on Saturday, 14 September.
Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner Dr Matthew Phillips said public trust in election outcomes is intrinsically linked to trust in the integrity of electoral processes and results.
Independent research from the 2023 NSW State election found that 85 per cent of survey participants had high levels of satisfaction with the fairness and impartiality of the election and 90 per cent had confidence in the election results.
“These are encouraging results, but there are emerging threats to these high levels of satisfaction and confidence in the delivery of elections in NSW.”
“False information about elections circulating in the community has the capacity to negatively impact confidence in the electoral process and the results of elections.”
Managing disinformation
Dr Phillips said the NSW Electoral Commission was working closely with other government agencies and stakeholders to monitor for emerging threats to confidence in elections and direct voters to reliable sources of information.
The Electoral Commission’s work to manage disinformation also includes:
- The recent launch of our 2024-25 regulatory priorities to show where we will focus our regulatory efforts.
- Continuing the NSW Electoral Commission’s Disinformation register
- Running a ‘Stop and consider’ advertising campaign to help voters identify disinformation when they come across it.
In addition, the Electoral Commission conducts ongoing monitoring of media and social media for disinformation and provides the correct information where appropriate.
“Disinformation in relation to elections will be a continuing issue, but we can help reduce its impact and support voters to recognise it when they see it, particularly as it becomes more and more sophisticated.”
Stop and consider campaign
The ‘Stop and consider’ advertising campaign is live across digital platforms, print and radio until 21 September 2024.
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