Midrand:With just 42 days left until the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026, political parties and independent candidates have pledged to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct and the accompanying Code on Countering Disinformation. This commitment was made during the National Electoral Code of Conduct Signing and Ballot Paper Draw Ceremony held in Gauteng.
According to South African Government News Agency, IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya emphasized that by signing the Code, all 136,790 candidates are given a fair chance to campaign and communicate their messages without fear or distortion. Violations of this Code could undermine the core principle of constitutional equality, Moepya warned. The leaders are committed to conducting their campaigns in a way that restores trust and integrity in the democratic process.
The Code requires political parties and candidates to condemn political violence and maintain clean campaigns, ensuring that citizens can express their political beliefs freely. Additionally, they are encouraged to foster respectful and responsible political discourse, focusing on ideas and policies rather than division and deception.
Moepya highlighted the importance of an independent press as crucial for free and fair elections. Article 8 of the Electoral Code of Conduct stipulates the responsibilities of political parties towards the media, including respecting media roles, guaranteeing access to political events, and ensuring journalists' safety. Leaders and candidates must protect journalists from harassment and ensure their safety both physically and online.
To counter disinformation, the IEC officially enacted the Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation on 4 September 2026. The Code mandates parties to verify the accuracy of their content, correct errors within 36 hours, and prohibit deceptive uses of AI in campaign materials. Breaches of the Disinformation Code carry significant legal consequences, with the Electoral Court authorized to impose penalties including fines and deregistration of non-compliant entities.
The IEC has collaborated with Real411, a digital tracking platform, to help citizens and candidates report any suspected digital breaches swiftly.