Disinformation on electoral processes in Spain: the case of the platform Elecciones Transparentes

Abstract

Disinformation about electoral processes is a recurring narrative used to erode public trust in institutions and destabilize democracies. This study aims to analyze the narratives and content dissemination networks of the Elecciones Transparentes platform, an entity active since 2019 whose primary objective is to discredit electoral processes in Spain. To achieve this, a content analysis was conducted on the platform’s two websites, examining a sample of 32 videos and 10 downloadable documents. Additionally, a text mining and network theory analysis was performed on its Telegram channel, which includes all messages published from the account’s creation until January 2024, totaling 1,028 messages. This analysis also identified the platform’s connection networks and the accounts with which it shares content. The findings reveal a recurring use of simplistic narratives lacking solid arguments or data, which vary depending on the format. Audiovisual content tends to be more speculative, while textual content is more assertive. These narratives encourage citizen participation, portraying voters as watchdogs, and also impact companies and political parties.