Information Disorders in Elections and Their Impact on the Principles of Democracy

Information disorders—encompassing misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation—pose significant threats to democratic values by distorting public debate, undermining electoral integrity, and eroding trust in institutions. These phenomena have intensified with the rise of digital platforms. This paper examines the conceptual foundations of information disorders, their impact on core democratic principles such as freedom of expression, political equality, and informed participation, and the mechanisms through which they damage electoral processes. It further considers the international normative responses mainly from international instruments and organizations. By drawing on case studies from Venice Commission member states, the paper assesses the effectiveness and limitations of current approaches.