WINNIPEG-

Manitoba’s chief electoral officer is calling for a legal crackdown on misinformation about provincial elections, including the conduct of election officials and electronic vote counting machines.

In her annual report, Shipra Verma says the deliberate dissemination of false information intended to mislead voters poses a threat to democracy.

The Provincial Elections Act already prohibits the dissemination of false information about candidates and prohibits people from impersonating election officials.

Penalties can range up to a $10,000 fine and one year in prison.

Verma says the law should be expanded to also prohibit, during the pre-election period, objectively false information about election officials, equipment used in elections, the electoral process and much more.

The report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly, and there was no immediate response from the government.

“The deliberate dissemination of false information intended to mislead voters poses a threat to democracy, eroding confidence in elections and interfering with voters’ ability to understand and participate in political processes,” the report released Monday said.

“As misinformation spreads rapidly through digital media, it often morphs into fake news, shared by individuals unaware of its accuracy, further complicating efforts to maintain a fair voting environment. »

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 28, 2024.