Introduction: What’s MentiraElectoral.org?

You can find the project at MentiraElectoral.org.

The overwhelming number of candidates participating in local elections in Posadas, Argentina, created massive confusion among voters, especially young citizens. The complex electoral system known as Ley de Lemas made it almost impossible to distinguish genuine opposition from those subtly aligned with ruling groups through hidden arrangements and political deals. Witnessing this manipulation, I felt compelled to create Mentira Electoral—a citizen-driven project designed to clarify the hidden mechanics distorting our democratic processes.

Objectives: Protecting Democratic Transparency

Mentira Electoral aims to raise awareness about the harmful impact of the Ley de Lemas system. Under this system, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes doesn’t necessarily win, severely undermining democratic transparency. The project seeks to educate voters, clearly demonstrating how their votes may be manipulated through behind-the-scenes political agreements.

Content Strategy: Videos and Virality

To effectively communicate our message, I leveraged social media platforms, primarily Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook, creating engaging content tailored for clarity and impact. Some highlights include:

• Reels explaining how the Ley de Lemas system negatively affects young voters, reducing their genuine democratic choice.
• Explanatory videos revealing the true nature of political sub-groups (sublemas), highlighting predetermined political positions secured through hidden contracts.
• A special post for Argentina’s Freedom Day (May 25) linking political freedom to electoral transparency.
• A controversial revelation about the local government limiting voting rights of armed forces personnel to suppress votes for a particular candidate.

Impact and Analytics: Results that Speak

Go to Instagram of MentiraElectoral.org to explore the full range of content, including all videos and posts.

The content resonated strongly, achieving significant reach and engagement:

• Instagram Reels: Over 20,000 profile visits.
• Website: Over 10,000 visits in just one month.
• X (Twitter): Over 1,000 profile visits and 500+ interactions.

Stats from the instagram account:

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and insightful:

• “Very informative!”
• “It’s impactful and powerful.”
• “End the Ley de Lemas now!”
• “We need a clear list of whom NOT to vote for!”

Additionally, my content was widely shared by local political activists, media groups, and influencers associated with opposition parties, notably La Libertad Avanza, amplifying its reach and sparking broader conversations.

Community Reactions: Positive Feedback & Media Coverage

Support and engagement came from diverse political backgrounds, including interactions with two political parties explicitly opposing the Ley de Lemas: the Partido Obrero and Partido Demócrata. Influencers and local radio stations interviewed me, significantly boosting the project’s visibility and credibility.

Technical Aspects: Leveraging Tech for Social Impact

The project’s core involved the use of Vercel for efficient hosting and Meta’s Ads Library API, providing real-time transparency about politicians’ spending on social media ads. I converted these figures into relatable terms—comparing ad budgets with equivalent meals—to vividly illustrate local poverty versus political spending, resonating powerfully with the community.

Challenges Faced: Personal Experiences

The project’s high visibility came with challenges, including subtle intimidation attempts, such as unusual text messages and unannounced visits to my residence. These experiences underscored the sensitive nature of political activism in Argentina. Despite this, numerous citizens reached out, grateful for the clarity the project brought them about local politics.

Future of the Project: Community Driven

Having successfully launched and established Mentira Electoral, my next step is transitioning the platform to an open-source project managed by the community. My goal is to empower others to carry this critical work forward, maintaining transparency and voter education long-term.

Call to Action: Your Commitment & Vision

I invite anyone passionate about democracy, transparency, and meaningful change to join and expand this initiative. My experiences have strengthened my belief in technology as a powerful tool for lasting social impact. Let’s continue building informed, empowered communities—together.

If you’re interested in collaborating, learning more, or contributing, feel free to connect with me. Your participation could help safeguard our democratic rights for years to come.