In this section
Subject matter
- Information for electors, trust and turnout
- Online information and communications in an electoral context
General objective
Facilitate the exercise of the vote in a constantly changing information environment.
Background
Information is essential to the exercise of a free and informed vote. It is one of many factors that can have an impact on the confidence of electors as well as their participation in elections.
In an electoral context, Élections Québec, the media, political parties and candidates all have an important role to play in providing information.
The Election Act requires the Chief Electoral Officer to inform electors about the electoral process and the voting options. It protects the freedom of the press and allows the media to inform electors as well. It also provides for measures to equip political parties and candidates so they can mobilize the electorate (e.g., access to public funding and the list of electors).
Since the enactment of the Election Act in 1989, the information sector has undergone profound changes. The Web and digital platforms, among others, have transformed the public and media sectors. These tools have changed the electorate’s information habits, as well as the communication practices of those involved in the electoral process. Information has never been so abundant and accessible; yet, paradoxically, it can be difficult to get the right information.
Québec, like other democracies, is facing a decline in voter turnout, particularly since the turn of the century. Confidence in democratic institutions has also been under threat in recent years.
Challenges
- The Election Act does not directly address the role of the Chief Electoral Officer in providing information on political parties, candidates and their platforms, nor does it deal with democracy education.
- The phenomena of disinformation and misinformation, amplified by digital platforms, can have a negative impact by eroding citizens’ confidence in elections.
- The Election Act is not fully adapted to online communications and election campaigns. The principles of fairness and transparency underlying the framework of the election campaign must also be respected in the digital environment; however, the players and influence practices are different.
Recommendations
We make five recommendations for legislative amendments related to electoral and political information. In addition, we will be pursuing two complementary actions that do not require amendments to the Election Act.
Information for electors
Facilitating electors’ access to electoral and political information
- Allow for the addition of information about political parties on the Élections Québec website.
We would like to be able to enhance the register of authorized political entities that we publish online by adding a hyperlink to the website of each party and the contact information to reach their people in charge. We could also add a policy statement or excerpts from such a statement (see our recommendation related to theme 2). - Allow for the addition of information about candidates on the Élections Québec website.
During an election, we publish the list of candidates for each electoral division and their political party, where applicable, on our website. We would like to add one or more hyperlinks to each candidate’s social media accounts or website, as well as a way to contact them, such as an email address. - Prohibit Web advertising on election day.
On election day, the Election Act prohibits any person, with the exception of the Chief Electoral Officer, from broadcasting or publishing any advertisement relating to the election. Currently, the digital space escapes this rule. The broadcasting of election-related advertising should also be prohibited on the Web, including social media, on election day.
Complementary action by Élections Québec: broadening the scope of our democracy education activities.
Online political communications
Enhancing the transparency and reliability of online political communications
- Require digital platforms to keep a record of paid political and election advertising.
The digital platform registers should list advertisements broadcast during election periods and for a certain period before the election is called. They should include advertising by political parties, candidates as well as those of third parties. They could contain information on how advertisements are broadcast, their cost and their publication date. These registers would help increase the transparency of online political communications. - Make provisions for new offences relating to disinformation, manipulation and intimidation.
Given the risks associated with online misinformation, new provisions regarding offences relating to the willful dissemination of false information should be included in the Election Act. Any attempts made by an individual to incite a person to become a candidate, prevent this person from becoming a candidate or force this person to withdraw is an offence. Such offence should be added to the Act.
Complementary action by Élections Québec: continuing to monitor inequalities in political information and information manipulation practices.