Days before a major legislative election in Spain, misleading claims about mail-in ballots and election fraud are circulating on social media, so researchers have criticized what they see as an inconsistent approach by social media companies to the situation.
The allegations, which have been augmented by supporters of the centre-right Popular Party and the far-right Vox party, bear striking similarities to the baseless allegations spread by former US President Donald Trump before his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.
Facebook and Twitter on line
In recent weeks, debunked videos purporting to be of polling station staff stuffing boxes have circulated widely on Facebook and Twitter. Facebook classified the videos as false while Twitter took no action.
Other videos circulating on Facebook and TikTok claim that Pedro Sanchez’s party will steal the election result to prevent defeat.
The use of mail-in ballots is a particular focus of election conspiracy theories, with some far-right voters suggesting that the post office would be used to give the election result in favor of Sanchez.
This situation was amplified by the leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Figo. At a rally last week, he urged Spanish postal employees to remain independent.
“I ask the postmen in Spain to work as hard as they can, in the morning, in the afternoon and at night,” Figo said during a campaign rally in Murcia on Wednesday. “Regardless of your superiors, I urge you to distribute all mail-in ballots on time.”
Vigo later said he was not trying to imply that the Postal Service would try to steal the election, but was instead referring to the challenges of handling so many mail-in ballots.
Some of the allegations spreading misinformation about the Spanish elections are widespread and growing.
REST researchers identified 88 social media accounts with more than 14 million followers that frequently posted extremist content in Spain. Posts flagged for containing election conspiracy or hate theories have been viewed nearly 100 million times since January. It examines the way social media affects democracies around the world, and provides numerous examples of election-related misinformation spreading on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
Source / Euronews