Zanzibar police are rolling out a comprehensive strategy to combat misinformation during the current campaign period.

A statement issued by police headquarters here said at the weekend that a major effort was underway to secure the upcoming general election, with intent to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure a peaceful, transparent election for all citizens.

The police force, in collaboration with other security agencies, is preparing to address a range of digital threats that could undermine integrity of the polling process, including the deliberate spread of false information, also known as disinformation, which can mislead voters and fuel political tensions, the statement affirmed. 

The police are particularly focused on identifying and neutralizing threats from various sources, including individuals and organized groups who may use sophisticated tools like AI-generated "deepfakes" to manipulate public opinion, it asserted.

While law enforcement takes a leading role, state authorities realise that community cooperation is essential, so the public is being urged to be vigilant and to report suspicious online activity, especially the circulation of unverified news and inflammatory content, it further noted. 

This collaborative approach is intended to build public resilience against propaganda and to ensure that voters can make informed decisions based on accurate information, it affirmed.

Political parties and candidates need to use social media responsibly, the statement emphasized, appealing to participating parties to focus on constructive debate rather than misinformation.

“By working together, all stakeholders can ensure that digital platforms are used to strengthen democracy rather than to incite division or violence,” it implored, noting that the initiative is a direct response to the growing influence of social media in political campaigns/.

“The misuse of these platforms can lead to a decline in public trust in democratic institutions and the electoral process itself. This initiative aims to uphold the fairness and accountability of the elections, ensuring that the will of the voters is respected and protected from digital manipulation,” it added.