Social Media, Artificial Intelligence and Election Credibility: A Global Perspective

The rapid expansion of social media and AI has transformed electoral communication and reshaped how citizens access information, engage in political discourse and evaluate the credibility of elections. In this paper, the way digital platforms impact electoral integrity is analyzed through political content diffusion, misinformation circulation and evolving campaign strategies. Using global examples from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania-including India-it shows how digital ecosystems can catalyze participation on the one hand and diminish democratic trust on the other. Conceptual models are used to illustrate relationships among the use of social media, AI-generated content and voter perceptions. Evidence is synthesized from theories in communication, behavioral research and policy reports by various international organizations such as International IDEA, UNESCO, UNDP and national election authorities. It argues that the credibility of elections in the digital age depends not only on technological safeguards but also on institutional transparency, public digital literacy and platform accountability. In ending, it summarizes some policy implications for election management bodies and governments from around the world.