US authorities say Russia made video alleging ballot destruction
Oct 27, 2024
Moscow [Russia], October 27: A video showing the alleged destruction of ballots cast for US presidential candidate Donald Trump was created by Russia, according to the US authorities, amid
fears that disinformation could influence the election outcome.
The clip was shared on X, the platform owned by US tech billionaire and Trump supporter Elon Musk, and other social media platforms.
It shows the hands of a person tearing open envelopes and inspecting the ballots they contain. Votes cast for Trump are then torn up and someone can be heard verbally abusing the former president.
The video was purportedly made in Bucks County in the swing state of Pennsylvania, though the local election authority immediately said neither the envelopes nor the ballots shown match those actually in use.
The FBI and the office of the Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, said they assume the video was created and distributed online by "Russian actors," citing information available to them as well as previous activities.
Russia is trying to sow doubt about the legitimacy of the US elections and divide the nation's voters, they said.
Pennsylvania is among the swing states that could determine the election's outcome. Some 270 votes from electors from different states are needed to win the election and 19 are from Pennsylvania.
Polling shows Democrat candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Trump as neck and neck ahead of the November 5 election.
Source: Qatar Tribune
