Online platform for French left-wing primary hit by cyberattack, organizers say

The online platform used for France’s Socialist and social democratic primary was targeted in a cyberattack on Friday, disrupting some voters’ access, although the integrity of recorded votes was not compromised, French broadcaster LCP reported.

“The e-votez platform, the provider for the Socialist and Democratic primary vote, has been the victim of a cyberattack since it opened this Friday morning at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT),” Patrick Mennucci, head of the primary’s organizing commission, said in a statement.

Mennucci said the platform had remained operational and voting had continued without interruption since it opened.

He described the attack as a “massive and fictitious influx of connections,” saying bots were being used to maximize the number of simultaneous connections.

Although recorded votes remained intact, the attack “hinders the ability of some voters to cast their ballots,” he said.

Organizers said they had taken measures to maintain the vote and assist voters experiencing connection problems.

A support line remained available to help them access the platform.

The first round of voting opened at 8 am Friday (0600 GMT) and is scheduled to close at 8 pm Saturday (1800 GMT).

The political organizations involved condemned what they described as an attempt to disrupt the democratic process and said they would refer the matter to the courts.