IN a bid to halt the spread of false information around elections, the IEC has promulgated the Electoral Code of Conduct Countering Disinformation in the Local Government Elections (Disinformation Code) in the Government Gazette.

The code is intended to promote free, fair and orderly local government elections ahead of the 4 November polls, and it is part of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

ALSO READ: R34m uMfolozi projects target safety and youth development

IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela warns that any contravention is treated as a breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct and is subject to sanctions under the Act.

“Sanctions range from fines and campaign restrictions to cancellation of a party’s registration in serious cases,” she said.

Bapela added that the code provides rail guards for political parties, candidates and anyone acting on political parties’ or candidates’ instruction, or for reward across all election-related communication, whether online or offline, paid or unpaid.

The code also specifically prohibits disinformation targeting the IEC or its staff, requiring parties and candidates to correct it publicly where it occurs.

ALSO READ: Parents murdered in front of their children

Under the code, political parties and candidates must

• Check information for accuracy before sharing and take responsibility for content published by them, for them, or on their behalf
• Publicly retract and correct any false or misleading information within 36 hours of becoming aware of it, and censure those responsible where appropriate
• Avoid deceptive practices – including fake accounts, bot networks, coordinated inauthentic behaviour, doxing and cyberbullying
• Label AI-generated (synthetic) content clearly before distributing it
• Clearly label political advertising so the public can identify who is behind it
• Report instances of online disinformation to Real411 within 36 hours of becoming aware of them
• Promote awareness of the code among their members and supporters, and support broader efforts on media literacy and voter education

Where to report disinformation?

The IEC has designated digital disinformation reporting and tracking platform Real411.
This is accessible to any person or group of people who come across suspected election-related disinformation to report it directly at real411.org.za/elections.
The code is binding from its gazetting on 4 September until the declaration of the election results.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page  and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 060 784 2695

Instagram – zululand_observer

TikTok – @zululand_observer