The Election Integrity Task Force (EITF) is a rapid response mechanism designed to detect and prevent foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and other malicious influence operations, including domestic ones (DIMI), during election periods. It is a consortium initiated in 2025 and led by Global Media Registry (GMR), in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and Fondation Hirondelle.
Annual budget
130’000 CHF
Source of funding
Canada (Affaires mondiales)
Key figure 2025
- 100 people trained and made aware of FIMI
context
The coordination, widespread dissemination, and increasing complexity of foreign and domestic interference in information spaces fuel polarization, mistrust, and conspiracy theories, particularly during election periods. They exploit weaknesses in societies to undermine their functioning and make their democratic values and sovereignty more vulnerable. To address these challenges, the EITF relies on the FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference) and DISARM (Disinformation Analysis and Risk Management) frameworks to combat the manipulation of these influences and their links to disinformation at the national level.
By promoting close collaboration, capacity building, and information sharing among civil society organizations, media professionals, researchers, and public institutions, the EITF aims to strengthen the ability of local actors to identify, analyze, and counter these multifaceted influence operations. The EITF thus aims to help preserve the integrity of information during election periods, strengthen democratic resilience, and restore confidence in the democratic process.
A multi-stakeholder approach
The EITF strives to promote a healthy information environment based on verified facts, particularly during elections, which are the culminating moments of democratic life and often subject to criticism and even violence. The pilot countries where the EITF will be deployed in 2025-2026 are Côte d’Ivoire (elections in October 2025), Bangladesh (elections in February 2026), and Peru (elections in April 2026).
Launched in October 2025 as part of the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire, the EITF implemented a series of actions:
- Eight training and awareness-raising sessions were organized by Fondation Hirondelle for media professionals (online and offline), representatives of regulatory bodies, media unions, bloggers, civil society organizations, the High Authority for Communication and Audiovisual Media (HACA), and electoral institutions. Coaching support was also offered to media professionals to strengthen their production capacities.
- A monitoring and early warning system called “Situation Room” was set up by GMR to map and track the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) used by FIMI actors. This monitoring, in conjunction with Fondation Hirondelle training, aims to enable preventive and real-time responses.
- IFES launched a collaborative network of experts. This part of the project involved creating an interdisciplinary center to map stakeholders involved in the fight against IFF. It brings together local, regional, and international experts from all fields to support future deployments and an engaged community of practice.
Priorities
- Strengthening the resilience of societies targeted by FIMI
- Strengthen the capacities of media professionals and raise awareness among civil society actors and institutions
- Provide local capabilities for monitoring disinformation
Activities
- Develop a suitable methodological approach
- Set up a monitoring unit
- Organize training sessions and awareness workshops; offer customized coaching
The EITF is implemented on the same basis in February 2026 in Bangladesh and in April in Peru.
Our impact
The training sessions in Côte d’Ivoire have improved knowledge of FIMI: 97% of participants report having a good understanding of the issues surrounding FIMI. In addition, journalists have used the “Situation Room” to obtain raw information for their journalistic work. The HACA has requested the support of the EITF for its monitoring work.
Three WhatsApp groups were created for training beneficiaries (including CSOs, journalists, and bloggers). The Fondation Hirondelle’s journalist coach was thus able to assist them in producing content (fact-checking articles, analytical articles on cases of FIMI, reports, etc.).