Have your say on proposed measures to fight election disinformation
IEC Electoral Code of Conduct: Extended deadline for public comments announced
CITIZENS now have until Wednesday, 29 July to comment on the proposed Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation.
The IEC extended the deadline for public comments by a week, inviting South Africans to give input on the code of conduct, aimed at safeguarding the integrity of electoral processes ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
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IEC national spokesperson Kate Bapela said the code seeks to ‘strengthen measures to combat the deliberate spread of false or misleading information during elections’.
“As the commission, we encourage all interested parties, including political parties, independent candidates, civil society organisations, academia, media organisations, digital platforms and members of the public, to take advantage of the extended period to provide their input,” she said.
Code of Conduct aims to:
• Support the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, while reinforcing laws that prohibit the intentional dissemination of false election-related information
• Create an environment that supports the free flow of trustworthy election information, while strengthening resilience against disinformation
• Guide stakeholders on the standards of conduct expected in preventing, identifying and responding to disinformation that threatens the electoral integrity
• Establish practical measures to prevent, detect and respond to disinformation online
“The success of South Africa’s democracy depends on the active participation of citizens and stakeholders in protecting the integrity of electoral information and promoting informed public debate,” concluded Bapela.
Written submissions must be received no later than Wednesday, 29 July, and must be emailed to NaidooD@elections.org.za.
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