Digital vote-buying will challenge weak democracies
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Significance
In August, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) warned that online banking and electronic wallets -- the use of which has surged during the pandemic -- will be prime vehicles for digital vote-buying.
Impacts
- Digital vote-buying will strengthen regional political clans, which are often the conduit for vote-buying in rural areas.
- Foreign influencer campaigns could become more disruptive with digital vote-buying.
- Fintech firms in fragile democracies could face tighter regulation on transparency and Know Your Customer rules.