Cyberattack on US election funding watchdog FEC knocks out online filing days before midterms

A major cyberattack has caused a stir in the United States just days before the crucial midterm elections on November 3. The target is the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the country's main central agency that monitors election funding.

Because of the attempted intrusion, the commission had to shut down all its web-based services and its electronic filing system for now. This has raised a big question mark over the transparency of election spending.

On Monday night, a senior FEC official immediately sent an email to the campaign compliance companies of all political parties. It said an unknown miscreant had tried to gain unlawful entry into the commission's databases and systems. As a precaution, the system shut down all its electronic services. As a result, it has become difficult for political parties to file their legal spending reports in the middle of campaigning.

In the US, parties are legally required to account for the heavy spending and the funds received in the last days of an election. Political organisations and powerful "Super PACs" are spending record amounts on campaigning. Under the rules, in the final phase candidates must file online with the FEC reports of donations received and spending within 24 hours and 48 hours.

With the filing system itself down, it is no longer possible to know immediately which party is getting how much money and from where. However, the commission has clarified that its main website is still working for viewing older reports that were filed earlier and are in the database. The FEC's IT experts have traced the root of the technical fault and work is under way on a war footing to fix it.

Concern spread among American voters as soon as the news came out. But the FEC and cyber security experts quickly offered clarification. In the US political system, the Federal Election Commission only regulates election finance and campaign spending. The body does not actually conduct elections or run e-voting systems.

The attack will therefore have no adverse effect on voters' ability to cast their votes, or on the security of EVMs and ballot papers. Central agencies such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI are keeping a close watch on the situation.

This year's midterms are seen as extremely decisive for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party. The results will decide whether the Republican Party can retain its dominance in both houses of the US Congress. If the opposition Democratic Party wins power, the legislative agenda for the rest of Trump's term could face a major brake.

Against the backdrop of the cyber incident, Trump has once again stressed the fairness of elections. He has said he will respect the results only if the midterms are fully transparent and fair. He has also warned that if his policies are opposed in Congress, he will use the veto power he holds as president. The cyberattack, coming amid this political tension, has further stirred American politics.