With 42 days remaining before the Local Government Elections, political parties and independent candidates in South Africa have pledged to uphold the Electoral Code of Conduct and the supporting Code on Countering Disinformation. The Electoral Commission (IEC) Chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, emphasized the importance of signing the Code to ensure that all 136 790 candidates have an equal opportunity to campaign and communicate their messages without fear or unfair distortion.
Moepya stated that violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct distort the electoral playing field and undermine the fundamental principle of constitutional equality. By signing the Code, political party leaders have committed to conducting their campaigns in a manner that restores trust, builds institutional integrity, and demonstrates that the democratic process can be responsive, clean, and accountable. The Code aims to promote a fair and transparent electoral process.
The Electoral Code of Conduct outlines several key commitments that contesting political parties and independent candidates must adhere to. These include condemning political violence, maintaining clean campaigns, and elevating political discourse. Candidates must speak out firmly against political violence, intimidation, sabotage, and threats directed at political opponents, the public, the Electoral Commission, and the media.
The Code also emphasizes the importance of a free and independent press in ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process. Article 8 of the Electoral Code of Conduct sets out explicit duties for every registered party and candidate, including respecting the press, guaranteeing access to public political meetings, and ensuring journalists' safety. Candidates must take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment, intimidation, or harm to journalists.
To combat disinformation, the IEC has promulgated the Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation in Local Government Elections. The Disinformation Code imposes strict obligations on every party, candidate, and supporter, including verifying the factual accuracy of published content, correcting errors within 36 hours, and prohibiting deceptive uses of artificial intelligence. Breaches of the Disinformation Code carry severe penalties, including hefty fines and criminal prosecutions.
The IEC has partnered with the digital tracking platform Real411 to allow citizens, candidates, and parties to report suspected digital breaches instantly. The Electoral Court has full jurisdiction and authority to adjudicate complaints and issue severe penalties. Moepya stressed that the IEC is committed to ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair, and transparent.
The Local Government Elections are scheduled to take place on 4 November 2026. The IEC's efforts to promote a fair and transparent electoral process are crucial in ensuring the integrity of the elections. By upholding the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Code on Countering Disinformation, political parties and independent candidates can help build trust in the electoral process.
Key points
- Political parties and independent candidates have pledged to uphold the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Code on Countering Disinformation ahead of the Local Government Elections.
- The Electoral Code of Conduct aims to promote a fair and transparent electoral process by condemning political violence, maintaining clean campaigns, and elevating political discourse.
- The IEC has promulgated the Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation to combat disinformation and impose strict obligations on parties, candidates, and supporters.
