KUALA LUMPUR – As Americans head to the polls in the US presidential election, fake bomb threats and disinformation campaigns have created heightened security concerns nationwide. According to CBS News and Anadolu Agency, nearly 30 false threats targeted election sites, with 17 in Georgia alone.
Investigators suspect foreign interference, with several threats traced to Russian email domains, though none have been deemed credible. Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger pointed to Russia as a likely source, saying, “They’re up to mischief. They don’t want us to have smooth, fair, and accurate elections.”
In Fulton County, Georgia, five bomb threats led to brief evacuations at two polling sites early Tuesday, though both locations reopened soon after.
“Thankfully, these locations are now operational again, and all polling sites are secure with an active security presence,” Nadine Williams, Fulton County’s elections director, confirmed in a news conference.
The FBI also warned of fabricated videos spreading false information about voting. These fake videos misuse the FBI’s logo and name, falsely suggesting that Americans should “vote remotely” due to an exaggerated terror threat at polling locations.
In a statement reported by the Anadolu Agency, the FBI reassured the public, confirming that the videos were not authentic and pledging to protect the election process alongside state and local law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Cisa) reported no major threats affecting election infrastructure. However, Cisa highlighted severe flooding in Missouri, which led to road closures and power outages, affecting some voters’ access to polling sites.
Cisa adviser Cait Conley noted these disruptions were “largely expected, routine, and planned for.”
Early reports as of 8am Malaysian time indicate that former president Donald Trump who is the Republican presidential candidate has taken an early lead with 19 electoral votes, compared to Democrat candidate vice president Kamala Harris’s three, from the 270 needed to win.
Key battleground states, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, remain closely watched, with vote counting ongoing.
According to CBS News, around 80 million Americans cast their votes early, underscoring high voter engagement this year, with a total of over160 million expected to participate. – November 6, 2024