2025 Election Review Highlights Disinformation and Campaign Finance Issues

• •Disinformation affected 62% of monitored elections in 2025.
• •Campaign finance irregularities continue to disadvantage smaller parties and women.
• •Gender-based violence in elections was reported in 22 countries, exacerbated by technology.

The Review of the 2025 Year of Elections, published by International IDEA and the Electoral Integrity Project, reveals ongoing challenges to electoral integrity, including disinformation, opaque campaign funding, and violence. The report monitored 39 national elections, finding that disinformation was present in at least 62% of cases, while campaign finance irregularities were noted as a significant concern. Gender-based violence was reported in 22 countries, often facilitated by digital technologies. The analysis indicates no overall decline in electoral integrity, but highlights vulnerabilities in campaign stages, particularly media coverage and financing. Specific examples include vote buying in the Philippines and electoral malpractices in the United States. The report emphasizes the need for stronger regulations and oversight mechanisms to protect electoral processes and citizen participation.