IEC Gazettes Code of Conduct to Counter Disinformation in Municipal Elections

Brought to you by SAnews: The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has gazetted the Electoral Code of Conduct Countering Disinformation in the Local Government Elections, establishing enforceable compliance rules regarding election-related communications.

In terms of section 88(a) of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, No. 27 of 2000, the Commission promulgated the Disinformation Code on 4 September 2026. The code forms an integral part of the statutory Electoral Code of Conduct, meaning any non-compliance or breach is subject to the enforcement proceedings and statutory sanctions prescribed under the Act.

The Disinformation Code applies to political parties, candidates, and any person or entity acting on their instruction, with their authority, or for reward. It governs all election-related communications across both digital and physical mediums, whether paid or unpaid. It remains effective from 4 September 2026 until the official declaration of election results, with formal compliance commitments signed on 23 September 2026.

Compliance Requirements and Operational Obligations

Under the code, regulated parties and candidates are legally required to:

• Verify the accuracy of all information prior to publication and assume legal responsibility for content issued directly or on their behalf;
• Publicly retract and correct false or misleading statements within 36 hours of becoming aware of the inaccuracy;
• Prohibit and desist from deceptive online tactics, including bot networks, automated inauthentic accounts, doxing, and cyberbullying;
• Explicitly label all artificial intelligence (AI)-generated or synthetic media prior to dissemination;
• Clearly disclose sponsorship and authorship on all political advertisements;
• Report identified instances of digital disinformation to the designated Real411 tracking platform within 36 hours; and
• Refrain from disseminating disinformation aimed at the Commission or electoral staff, and issue immediate public corrections where such claims appear.

The code preserves legitimate political speech, including lawful commentary, fair reporting, satire, parody, and protected democratic debate.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

• For yourself: When participating in public electoral commentary, ensure factual verification of assertions and report identified disinformation directly via the designated Real411 portal.
• For your business: Digital agencies, public relations consultancies, and marketing practices advising political entities must implement pre-publication fact-checking protocols, watermarking procedures for synthetic or AI-generated media, and clear sponsor disclosures to prevent vicarious liability under the Act.
• For your clients: Political parties, independent candidates, and campaign contractors must adopt a 36-hour retraction protocol, audit communications staff and third-party vendors for bot or automated account use, and ensure compliance before the 23 September 2026 code-signing deadline.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/iec-gazettes-code-tackle-disinformation-ahead-local-elections