Fake Accounts Supporting the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Facebook
ISFED uncovered 7 fake and 15 suspicious Facebook profiles involved in supporting the Central Election Commission (CEC) campaign in Georgia. The majority of these inauthentic accounts are stealing other people’s identities and repeatedly posting coordinated comments on CEC's posts. Notably, many of the comments are identical or convey a similar message.
Fake and suspicious accounts have been posting positive assessments of the electronic technologies used in the 2024 parliamentary elections. They also attempt to downplay election violations, framing them as disinformation. In addition to promoting favorable messages about the CEC and its chairman, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, these inauthentic profiles target opposition parties and civil society organizations, while also spreading anti-Western rhetoric. These accounts frequently engage with others posting critical comments on CEC's posts, participating in discussions, and often responding to them with derogatory remarks.
Notably, the engagement of inauthentic accounts in supporting the CEC’s campaign has been observed before, particularly during the 2018 Presidential elections. At that time, fake accounts linked to NewsFront, a Russia-based agency, were involved in the campaign. Inauthentic pages had previously been used to run a positive campaign on the CEC's Facebook page, though they were not very active during pre-election days. However, these accounts were reactivated in late October, coinciding with the growing public discussion of election violations.
Inauthentic Accounts
To lend credibility to their comments, inauthentic accounts steal photos from real internet users. Using a photo verification tool, ISFED traced the origins of the images used by 7 fake accounts.
The real identity of users whose photos were used by the fake accounts
The photos posted on other accounts cannot be reliably verified, but they contain distinct markers that suggest their suspicious nature. Notably, the profile photos of most such accounts were published on the same date. Another indicator is that these profiles typically feature only two or three photos, which are often uploaded on the same day. Interaction with these photos is also very low, further signaling their inauthenticity.
Some inauthentic profiles indicate that the account is recently created (New Facebook Account), signaling their ad hoc creation to engage in the campaign.
Recently created inauthentic accounts
Tactics Employed by the Inauthentic Accounts
Inauthentic accounts consistently post multiple comments on individual posts on the CEC’s official Facebook page. While the syntax varies, the core message remains the same.
Note: Comments in the red box are from inauthentic accounts that have been verified as fake by ISFED.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Electronic voting was successful and yielded positive results. Mr Kalandarishvili played a positive role in making this happen. May god bless Georgians like you. Thank you for your dedicated service to Georgia.
Nineli Kakabadze: Political parties were unanimously requesting electronic voting. The government considered their request and conducted transparent elections, in a peaceful environment. It was the first time elections were conducted electronically and it was implemented on a very high level.
Mirian Sordia: The CEC's work merits appraisal. It did everything to conduct elections on a high level, without any challenges. The number of filled complaints was lower. The CEC's effective and transparent service is worth noting. Keep it up!
Rusudan Gugulashvili: My appreciation to Mr Kalandasrishvili. Thanks to this decent Georgian. Thanks for conducting elections so successfully. May the god bless you!
Liliko Berdzenishvili: The CEC's work this year was successful. Exemplary elections, across multiple parameters, deserve appraisal from the healthy part of society. Electronic elections were conducted in Georgia for the first time. I am very happy.
Rusudan Gugunashvili: I don't know about others, but I assess the CEC's work very positively. Electronic voting systems and the CEC's effective work contributed to the successful elections.
Mirian Sordia: Parliamentary elections was the major event of the year. I am happy with the CEC's work. The lower number of complaints and electronic systems deserve positive assessment.
Leli Pantsulaia: Electronic voting turned out well.
Lasha Sherozia: It is almost the only institution that works like a swiss watch.
Identical comments from the inauthentic accounts
This tactic, commonly used in anonymous influence operations, involves posting similar opinions from multiple accounts to create the illusion of a widespread consensus. The goal is to trigger the Bandwagon Effect, a psychological phenomenon where individuals with differing opinions are discouraged from speaking out, fearing marginalization or potential backlash.
In addition to posting identical, positive comments, these fake and inauthentic accounts engage with genuine Facebook users who post critical remarks or ask questions on CEC’s posts. Their goal is to discredit the critical comments and reinforce the narrative supporting the CEC. In some instances, these accounts respond with derogatory language to belittle those who voice dissent.
A user: An envelope holding the ballot was short to show the last candidate well - #41.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: How degraded one be to have complaints related to a thickness of a paper.
A user: An envelope holding the ballot was not fully covering it, especially when the vote counting machine was returning the ballot. In this case, ballot secrecy was violated. Enough of this farce!
A user: I agree.
A user: Ballot papers used for the trainings were much thicker.
Davit Ghoghoberidze: Where do these absurd ideas come from? The ballot papers were the same. No difference at all.
A user: At least correct gender data of voter turnout. This is a serious mistake that leaked.
Leri Pantsulaia: Uh, it gave me goosebumps. Such a serious thinker does Gvaramia have?! Don't you know that the elections were conducted on a high level? Why do you need to post such hypocritical comments? Aren't you bored after all?
A user: There is so much fraud evidence out that you guys don't even catch up.
Qeti Zaalishvili: You keep writing, as you have nothing else to do anyway. Maybe you'd want to take a walk on the liberty avenue. There are free pizzas served.
Examples of interactions of inauthentic accounts with the users who write critical comments on the CEC Facebook page
Messages Spread by Inauthentic Accounts
Inauthentic accounts are running a CEC support campaign in the comment sections of posts on the CEC’s page. They emphasize that the elections were conducted properly, in accordance with the rules and regulations, and that the CEC upheld high standards. These accounts frequently post supportive comments about Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the CEC chairman, praising the effectiveness of the electronic voting system and ensuring voter secrecy. The comments also suggest that international observation missions gave a positive assessment of the elections.
The CEC: The assessment of the October 26 Parliamentary Elections. The Prosecutors Office of Georgia already launched an investigation. How is the CEC participating in the investigation; and matching the list of voters to the Geostat data - these and other important issues will be discussed by Giorgi Kalandarishvili on Imedi TV, on the show "Dgis Qronika".
Liliko Berdzenishvili: This decent man is overwhelmed by critics, but they do not know that when you are faithful, you are stronger than rock. Thanks to Mr. Kalandarishvili for his dedicated service to his homeland!
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Well done, Mr kalandarishvili. The elections were conducted well, as Georgians deserve. May the god bless you.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: The CEC worked well. Georgian people join the OSCE ODIHR in expressing their gratitude to the CEC.
Mirian Sordia: OSCE/ODIHR's thank you is music to the ears. The CEC worked well and their dedication is well recognized.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: I don't remember any other elections conducted better than this one.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: Secrecy of the vote was fully guaranteed.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: Secrecy of the vote has not been violated.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: No issues regarding the secrecy of the vote.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: Nothing will change the opposition. They remain the same.
Mirian Sordia: Who wanted to keep their vote secret, their rights have not been violated.
Nini Amirejibi: Well done!
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Well, thank god they at least don't complain about markers. Vote secrecy was fully guaranteed.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Secrecy of the vote is guaranteed by the envelope holding it. You need to be blind to argue the opposite.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: Secrecy of the vote can't be violated if you use the envelope properly.
Rostom Baratashvili: ENEMO positively assesses the CEC's effectiveness and what's wrong with these villains. They will do everything to come to power illegally.
Cira Kavtiashvili: Ridiculous complaints (marker leaked, a commission member saluted a voter, etc) prove that the elections were conducted successfully. Electronic voting turned out well justified.
Cici Bogveradze: Secrecy of the vote was well guaranteed. Quarrelsome observers' complaints are impossible to satisfy. Why do they complain? They do not have grounds for complaints.
Rostom Baratashvili: The lower number of complaints indicates that the elections were fair. The CEC worked effectively.
Leri Pantsulaia: This shouldn't remain unaddressed. They all should be punished for defamation!
Natalia Machabeli: I hope they will be held accountable for spreading lies.
Mirian Sordia: By the way, complaints refer to such petite issues, it's ridiculous.
Qeti Zaalishvili: Complaints do not hold any significance. We shouldn't be squandering time on them. They are fictional, imagined by those who filed them.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: Well, the number of complaints has decreased. This is good.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: November 3 is nearing, and not much time is left. In general, I welcome the reduced number of complaints.
Mirian Sordia: Great results in terms of reduced number of complaints. Wish you success. Congrats on this remarkable progress.
Davit Ghoghoberidze: Any explanation for this opposition is a futile effort.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: Data is tricky, you can't falsify it. Congrats on the reduced stats of the complaints.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Positive trend is notable. Congratulations on your progress.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: This is where the CEC's hard work paid off. When you conduct elections without falsification, under the observation of numerous monitors, your success is so obvious. When you see that the CEC's dedication yielded results, you are proud. The number of complaints reduces, naturally. Decent members of the CEC, congratulations on this victory. Keep it up.
Rusudan Gugulashvili: I welcome the decline in the number of complaints, filed either by opposition party representatives or election monitors. It's a laudable tendency.
The goal of these comments is to discredit election observation organizations, particularly ISFED and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), while undermining their credibility. Some inauthentic accounts call for legal accountability of these organizations, accusing them of spreading lies and disinformation. Additionally, some comments propagate anti-Western, especially anti-U.S. Embassy, rhetoric, claiming that Western influence has manipulated Georgian election observation groups to portray a negative image of Georgia's parliamentary elections.
Cira Kavtiashvili: ISFED is the most unfair and biased organization. We know the indecent goals of their calculation. Remember what they did 4 years ago.
Cira Kavtiashvili: Does anyone trust ISFED and its provocative calculations?
Rostom Baratashvili: Why shall we give up this country to this crook Nino Dolidze and ISFED? They are attempting to do the same as they did 4 years ago.
Rostom Baratashvili: ISFED must have been punished 4 years ago and today, we wouldn't be facing these amorphous problems. We are aware of its tendency to put out intentionally manipulated and biased data. We won't let you destabilize the country.
Natroshvili Lana: We are well aware of what ISFED stands for. Remember what they did in 2020.
Tamar Korsava: In a nutshell, ISFED takes a side and acts upon its interests.
Tamar Korsava: I don't have a second thought about their intention to destabilize the politics.
Davit Ghoghoberidze: No matter how explicitly you explain, they always put things under question, because they don't care about the truth.
Davit Ghoghoberidze: It's so ridiculous that the opposition is appealing against the falsification of elections.
Lasha Sherozia: ISFED is already unnerving with its lies.
Rostom Baratashvili: These observation organizations, engaged in groundless, poisonous campaigns, should be held accountable.
Rostom Baratashvili: They don't want to cooperate with investigative bodies though still have complaints.
Nineli Kakabadze: The opposition knew the truth from the get-go, but they are still resisting.
Cira Kavtiashvili: How did this infamous organization count male voters? I don't trust their single word.
Qetino Qantaria: I am once again assured of the fairness of the elections.
Rostom Baratashvili: This traitor opposition will be silenced once and for all.
Rostom Baratashvili: What a venereal disease this ISFED is for Georgia so that the entire nation couldn't get enough of their groundless provocations?
Goga Kutateladze: What plan does the opposition have after this much proved evidence?
Cici Bogveradze: Wait and ISFED's provocation will be uncovered. They will get what they deserve.
Mirian Sordia: GYLA is an embodiment of a foreign agent organization. How come they want to annul the results of the entire electronic voting? Are they out of their mind?
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Secrecy of the vote is guaranteed with the envelope that holds the ballot paper. You must be blinding your eyes to argue otherwise.
In addition to targeting election observation organizations, inauthentic accounts also run an anti-opposition campaign in the comments. They accuse opposition parties of raising baseless complaints and inciting provocations, claiming that the opposition refuses to accept the outcome. Similar to pro-government actors, these accounts label opposition members as "traitors," aiming to discredit them.
Nineli Kakabadze: If you are right, at least table a single evidence of rigging.
Cico Bochorishvili: Aren't you tired of bluffing, you intriguers?
Koba Tavadze: The opposition can't accept the defeat in the fair and transparent elections. You should face the reality. The CEC did its job well, as always.
Davit Ghoghoberidze: No matter how explicitly you explain, they always put things under question, because they don't care about the truth.
Davit Ghoghoberidze: It's so ridiculous that the opposition is appealing against the falsification of elections.
Lasha Sherozia: ISFED is already unnerving with its lies.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: No matter how hard you try to prove, you can't persuade those having a certain goal.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Electronic voting is the best model for conducting elections. It is flawless.
Mirian Sordia: How much money did this opposition receive so that they are ready to turn a blind eye to the reality?
Mirian Sordia: Didn't this opposition know that the elections would be conducted using the electronic voting method? But wait, they were preparing not for the elections, but for the days after. Here we see the results.
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Whoever used the ballot paper holder properly, secrecy of their vote was not violated.
Mirian Sordia: Does this poisonous opposition hear it?
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Our traitor opposition is so good at spreading false information.
Mirian Sordia: For how long this spineless opposition may be shaking the country?
Liliko Berdzenishvili: Who used the envelope holding the ballot properly, the secrecy of their vote was not violated.
Mirian Sordia: The opposition is benefiting from spreading false information and why won't they do so?!
Davit Ghoghoberidze: The opposition says that the elections was stolen. They don't know how much the Georgian society is overwhelmed with their indecency.
Nineli Kakabadze: It's explicit how properly and effectively the elections were conducted.
Leri Pantsulaia: 99% of Georgians believe in you and are fully aware of the current situation.
Tamar Tsilosani: The opposition's effort turned out a wild goose chase. Of course, they will not blame themselves for this failure.
Rostom Baratashvili: These observation organizations, engaged in groundless, poisonous campaigns, should be held accountable.
Rostom Baratashvili: They don't want to cooperate with investigative bodies though still have complaints.
Alleged ties of the Inauthentic Accounts
Notably, some inauthentic accounts—particularly three active ones—regularly share posts from the Facebook page „ფაქტები და არჩევანი“ (Facts and Choice), while some engage with its content. This page was created on August 27, 2024, and began sponsoring posts on September 25, 2024. The page shares statements from pro-government actors, including those who present themselves to public as experts and representatives of the People’s Power and United Neutral Georgia. The content of these statements promotes pro-government, anti-opposition, and anti-civil society narratives.
At the same time, the page actively shares the opinions of Davit Chikhelidze, a who presents himself to the public as an expert and voices pro-government positions. He has also shared posts from the page. Notably, inauthentic accounts engage with Chikhelidze's comments and reply to users commenting on them. Some of these inauthentic accounts even have Davit Chikhelidze on their friendlist.
Davit Chikhelidze: I guess all the questions have been addressed thus far.
Nika Shalibashvili: Not only Davit, but 99% of Georgians admit that the elections were fair!
Table. Accounts who are friends with Davit Chikhelidze
Conclusion
The inauthentic behavior of fake accounts on the official Facebook page of the CEC, aimed at influencing public opinion, is problematic. Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, has policies in place to limit such inauthentic activity on its platforms. This campaign seeks to marginalize and dominate the differing opinions among Facebook users and discredit critical assessments of the electoral process.
Annex. Fake and inauthentic accounts engaged in the political campaign on the CEC Facebook page
Photo Gallery
