Electoral Commission concerned about the spread of misinformation
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said that the unsubstantiated fraud pronouncements are largely being made on social media.
Lindsay Dentlinger
Electoral Commission CEO Sy Mamabolo has briefed the nation following the close of Day 1 of Special Voting, noting a successful start across the country. Picture: IEC South Africa
IEC South Africa
The Electoral Commission said that it’s noted increasing attempts to the electoral challenge process on this second day of special voting.
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said that the unsubstantiated fraud pronouncements are largely being made on social media.
The official platform for reporting misinformation and disinformation, the Real411, has received at least 34 complaints of incitement to commit violence, hate speech and harassment.
Mamabolo said that the most dominant platform carrying false information has been X.
He said that some political parties have also created false narratives that votes were being rigged after witnessing electoral officers who had returned from collecting special votes on home visits, transferring the envelopes into ballot boxes at polling stations.
"The videos are shared without context, alongside claims that something untoward was underway. "
Mamabolo said that established reporting systems should be used to alert to untoward behavior by its staff.
"The Commission has already swiftly acted on officials who fell short of carrying out their duties as required."