PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has issued a stern warning to all political parties and independent candidates to strictly adhere to the Disinformation Code ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Failure to comply with these electoral guidelines will result in harsh consequences, as the commission moves decisively to promote credible and fair elections across the country.
The code is designed to balance free expression with electoral integrity. The guidelines explicitly allow for criticism, opinion, commentary, fair reporting, satire, parody, and legitimate democratic debate, provided these expressions fall within the realm of legally protected speech.
However, the IEC has drawn a firm line against malicious falsehoods. The Disinformation Code strictly prohibits any disinformation targeting the electoral commission and its staff. Should an offense be committed, the offending party or candidate is mandated to publicly correct the record.
To ensure swift accountability, political parties and independent candidates must publicly retract and correct any false or misleading information within 36 hours of becoming aware of it. Furthermore, they are expected to censure those responsible for the disinformation where appropriate.
To facilitate public oversight and rapid response, the IEC has directed that violations of this nature can be reported directly through the Real 411 platform. This digital reporting tool empowers citizens to combat digital disinformation safely and effectively, ensuring that the 2026 Local Government Elections remain transparent and trustworthy.
