Sweden prepares election system for cyberattacks and sabotage

Swedish authorities are rehearsing responses to polling-station disruption and cyberattacks as they warn threats of sabotage and disinformation against the September election have grown.

Municipalities and agencies are planning for interruptions at voting locations and attempts to disable public systems, SVT reported. A national election network will share threat information before and during polling so incidents that appear local can be connected quickly.

The Election Authority expects denial-of-service attacks and says preparations are in place. The National Cyber Security Centre and the National Defence Radio Establishment have also been given a special assignment to strengthen election cyber security.

Sweden's election website was unavailable for about five hours after a denial-of-service attack in 2018, although the vote count was not affected. At least three serious attempts were stopped during the 2022 election.

Rules effective since December 2025 give the Election Authority a formal coordination role and require election bodies to report incidents that could affect voting. Its security network includes county administrative boards, the Police Authority, the Security Service and the Psychological Defence Agency.

Sweden votes on September 13. Around eight million people are eligible.

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