Election watchdog has no powers to order social media sites to take down political misinformation

Electoral Commission statement said a 'fundamental principle' of any election in Ireland is that the citizens have confidence in the democratic process, the electoral process information they receive and trust the result. 

The Electoral Commission still does not have the legal power to order social media platforms to take down misinformation or material that is damaging to the election system.

The commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, is also awaiting statutory provisions to enable it regulate online political advertising, including on major social media sites.