The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating false bomb threats that briefly disrupted voting at polling places across the United States on Tuesday, Election Day, and warned that none of them were credible, although many appeared to originate from Russia.
The FBI's statement came shortly after Georgia state authorities reported that bomb threats had forced the temporary suspension of voting at two polling locations this Tuesday.
"The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling places in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains," the agency's statement noted.
"To date, it has not been determined that any of the threats are credible," the statement added, urging the public to "remain vigilant."
"Electoral integrity is one of the main priorities of the FBI. We will continue to work closely with our partners in state and local law enforcement to address any threats to our elections and to protect our communities while Americans exercise their right to vote," the statement emphasized.
The FBI urged the public to report suspicious activities to local or state authorities, or to submit tips by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.
Before the confirmation from the FBI, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told the press that the state had identified that several false bomb threats, which temporarily disrupted voting at two polling places, originated from Russia.
"We have heard some threats that originated from Russia. I wouldn't know how to explain that this is viable; we don't believe it is. However, in the interest of public safety, we always investigate and will continue to be very responsible when we become aware of such things. We identified the source, and it was from Russia," said Raffensperger, according to a CNN report.
"It seems they are plotting something nefarious and do not want us to have a calm, fair, and accurate election. Anything that can make us fight among ourselves, they might see as a victory," warned the Republican politician.
The false threats forced the temporary closure of the polling places set up at the Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary School in Union City, located on the outskirts of Atlanta, the Fulton County Police informed CNN.
On November 5, the United States will elect its next president, marking the end of a turbulent and historic electoral contest between former Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the current vice president of the country.
In a contentious electoral process that has polarized Americans, both have garnered 49% of support from registered voters, according to the latest national poll by NBC News.
In the small town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, the first to vote in the United States since 1960, the election day began with a surprising tie between the Republican candidate and his Democratic opponent. Each received three votes out of the six cast at midnight.
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