AS Guyana gets closer to the September 1 elections, now just one week away, the signs of desperation are clear. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has raised concerns about a troubling trend of false narratives spreading on traditional and social media. This misinformation threatens to undermine public trust in our democratic process.

This wave of lies shows the desperation of politicians and wrongdoers who realise they cannot win based on merit. These deceivers, sensing their certain defeat, have turned to the oldest trick in the demagogue’s playbook: when you can’t convince with truth, confuse with lies.

These disinformation campaigns can create confusion, weaken confidence in democratic institutions, and possibly discourage voter participation.

These tactics are not just campaign moves; they are direct attacks on our democracy.

The desperation is evident. We see social media “influencers” and so-called journalists taking full advantage, spreading lies and often defamatory remarks.

These spreaders of misinformation, lacking real policy ideas, have chosen to make falsehoods their main election strategy. Their careless disregard for truth points to not strength but deep weakness, the weakness of those who cannot compete in a fair exchange of ideas.

What makes this situation more alarming is the coordinated nature of these efforts. This is not random political talk; it involves planned attempts to sway public opinion through distorted news messages, unfounded claims, and edited images or videos that look like official communication.

We saw recently, an opposition-nominated GECOM commissioner raising an alarm over the decades old traditional outfit of police recruits.

Such tactics highlight their desperation, the frantic moves of those who feel their influence slipping away.

As citizens, we must recognise these lies for what they truly are: the final gasps of failing politics. When politicians turn to misinformation instead of offering credible policies or proven records, they reveal their own shortcomings. Their urge to create confusion shows their fear of an informed electorate making logical choices.

GECOM has offered tools to fight this attack on truth, urging citizens to verify information through official sources before sharing it. But this responsibility goes beyond checking facts—it requires actively rejecting those who would taint our democratic discussions with intentional falsehoods.

The September 1 elections will test more than just political preferences; it will test our shared commitment to truth over lies, substance over show, and integrity over desperation. Let’s not reward those who rely solely on deception.