IEC logs 700+ election disinformation complaints, most tied to posts on X
South Africa's Electoral Commission (IEC) has received more than 700 complaints about election disinformation, most of them linked to posts on X, with two weeks left before the 4 November local government elections.
What the IEC is worried about
IEC officials said many of the complaints involve the misuse of photographs and AI-generated content, The Citizen reported. A complaint is not the same as a proven breach.
The partnership builds on a framework used in the 2024 national and provincial elections. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said it removes barriers to reaching the platforms directly and allows "instantaneous remedial action against disinformation peddlers".
A technically flawless election can still lose public trust if citizens are overwhelmed by disinformation.
The rules and the penalties
The recently gazetted Electoral Code of Conduct Countering Disinformation in the Local Government Elections, known as the Disinformation Code, applies to political parties, candidates and their representatives. It carries the same sanctions as the broader Electoral Code of Conduct.
Depending on the outcome of investigations, the IEC can refer a case to the Electoral Court for sanctions, request urgent intervention from online platforms, or issue a public statement correcting false information.
What the platforms said
| Partner | Reported role or statement (The Citizen) |
|---|---|
| Works to give people tools to tell correct information from generated misinformation | |
| TikTok | In-app Election Centre pointing to reliable information; works with fact-checkers |
| Microsoft | "No single organisation can tackle disinformation alone" |
| Moxii Africa | Director William Bird calls information integrity "fundamental" to democracy |
| Meta | Named partner in the agreement |
