Technology and GE2025: Staying Vigilant During General Elections

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Today, Singaporeans are gearing up to exercise their right to vote, a fundamental aspect of our democracy. As we head to the polls, it's crucial to remain vigilant and informed, ensuring that we do not fall prey to fake news and misinformation.

The election period typically lasts for nine days and while it is short in nature, it suggests that there is limited room for any cybersecurity incidents let alone the time to investigate such incidents.

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) release a Cybersecurity advisory on 17 April for General Elections 2025 for Political Parties and Candidates, detailing a number of measures to be taken in protecting their digital assets.

Straits Times reported that there have been cases where there were attempts to influence election outcomes in favor of parties. Such endeavors can destabilize a country's social harmony through disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks. This was a real case scenario that took place in recent elections in Romania in December 2024 where they annulled their presidential election after uncovering a foreign-backed disinformation campaign.

While this information may sound irrelevant, Singapore has had a fair share of cyber threats during the 2023 Presidential Election with the surfacing of racially charged claims on Chinese platforms such as WeChat. This suggests that cyber-attacks and incidents can take place anywhere in the world which highlights the importance of staying vigilant and discerning when consuming information online.

As we participate in the GE2025, let's commit to verifying the information we encounter and sharing only credible sources. By doing so, we can protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that our voices are heard accurately and fairly.

Stay informed, stay vigilant and exercise your right to vote responsibly!