IEC logs more than 700 disinformation complaints and teams up with tech firms ahead of Nov 4 elections

Technology partners and a repeat framework

To respond to misleading content and protect the integrity of election information, the IEC has entered a partnership with major technology companies and an NGO: Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and non-profit Moxii Africa. The commission said this collaboration follows a similar framework that was put in place before the 2024 national and provincial elections.

The partnership is intended to ensure voters can access credible information as campaigns progress toward the polls. According to the IEC, the agreement does not require platforms to share confidential user data; instead, technology companies will continue to apply their own policies such as content removal, advisory warnings and delisting.

“Our partnership with digital platforms is critical to ensuring that voters have access to credible, accurate and trustworthy information to make informed political choices. A technically flawless election can still lose public trust if citizens are overwhelmed by disinformation,” Mamabolo said.

“Therefore, the partnership eliminates barriers to direct access to the platforms and enables instantaneous remedial action against disinformation peddlers,” he added.

What the partnership will do during the election period

The IEC said the arrangement includes several operational elements to be activated during the election period. These include:

• co-operation between the commission and platforms during the election period;
• establishment of a working group to coordinate responses;
• joint election awareness campaigns;
• disinformation training for political parties, candidates and other stakeholders.

These measures are presented as practical steps to enable faster remedial action when false or misleading information appears online.

Legal framework and possible sanctions

The partnership sits alongside the commission’s broader regulatory measures. The IEC published the Electoral Code of Conduct Countering Disinformation in the Local Government Elections on September 4; the code applies to political parties, candidates and anyone acting on their behalf and carries the same sanctions as the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Mamabolo said the commission can refer matters to the Electoral Court depending on the findings of its review. The commission noted that the court may impose sanctions, including fines of up to R200,000 and custodial sentences of between five and 10 years, where appropriate.

Real411 and how complaints are handled

To channel public reports and reduce the impact of disinformation, the IEC has designated Real411 to assist during the election period. Members of the public who encounter suspected election-related disinformation can submit complaints through the Real411 website or mobile application. Complaints are handled in all 11 official languages.

Real411 independently assesses complaints and recommends actions to the IEC and the relevant platforms. Following the independent review, the IEC may:

• refer a matter to the Electoral Court;
• send the complaint to the relevant platform for action;
• issue a media statement to alert the public and correct false information.

Voices from partners

Representatives from partner organisations emphasised the role of trustworthy information in maintaining credible elections. Microsoft South Africa’s director of government affairs, Abongile Vanda, said:

“Free, fair and credible elections depend on people being able to trust the information they see. No single organisation can tackle disinformation alone, which is why Microsoft is pleased to join the Electoral Commission in this partnership.

“Ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, we will work alongside the Commission, civil society and industry to help voters find authoritative election information, strengthen media and AI literacy, and counter deceptive AI-generated content,” Vanda said.

TikTok’s government relations and public policy lead for Southern Africa, Tholoana Ncheke-Mahlaela, outlined measures the platform has introduced to steer users toward reliable information, noting the use of an in-app Election Centre supported by labels, search banners, moderation systems and fact-checking partnerships.

“At TikTok, we recognise the important role our platform plays in helping people discover information and engage in public conversations. This is why we take our responsibility to protect our community during elections very seriously,” she said.

Moxii Africa director William Bird described coordinated action across sectors as essential to information integrity:

“Information integrity is fundamental to the credibility of any democratic process. In an increasingly complex digital environment, protecting voters from misinformation and disinformation requires co-ordinated action across institutions, technology platforms, civil society and citizens themselves,” Bird said.

“This partnership represents an important commitment to ensuring that South Africans can access accurate, trustworthy election information and participate in the 2026 Local Government Elections with confidence,” he added.

How voters can respond and what to expect

The IEC has published guidance on identifying, checking and reporting election disinformation on its website as parties continue to campaign ahead of the November 4 election. Voters who encounter suspicious material are encouraged to submit reports to Real411 so the independent system can assess and recommend actions.

What voters should expect:

• faster reporting channels to platforms via the partnership;
• independent assessment by Real411 in the language of the complainant;
• possible public corrections or referrals to the Electoral Court if misconduct is established.

Why this matters

Disinformation can undermine public confidence in democratic processes even when technical election operations run smoothly. The IEC and its partners present their coordinated approach as an attempt to preserve trust in election information and ensure that voters have access to authoritative sources as they make decisions at the ballot box.

As campaigns continue, the IEC’s reporting channels and the technology partners’ moderation measures will be the principal mechanisms the commission has highlighted to address misleading online content before and during the November 4 polls.