The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is preparing to counter AI-generated misinformation and social media scams as the 2026 local government elections approach. Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo outlined strategies including partnerships with platforms and rapid response mechanisms during a press conference in Centurion on 10 March. The commission also announced the first voter registration weekend for June.
At a press conference in Centurion on 10 March, the IEC expressed concerns over generative artificial intelligence and disinformation potentially impacting the 2026 local government elections. Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo stated, “We do anticipate that the growth of generative AI will create a fertile ground for increased disinformation attempts, and we are building our own internal capacity for social media responses.”
To address these risks, the IEC plans to provide credible information on digital platforms proactively and respond quickly to detected disinformation. Mamabolo mentioned partnering with social media companies, noting it aligns with their interest in maintaining platform credibility during elections. The commission is also considering a social media code of conduct, currently assessing its constitutionality to involve political parties, candidates, and media.
This follows experiences from the 2024 general elections, where the IEC collaborated with Media Monitoring Africa on the Real411 platform to combat misinformation, particularly prevalent on X according to a May 2024 MMA report. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by Jacob Zuma, faced criticism for spreading disinformation and unsubstantiated vote-rigging claims, leading to a court dismissal with punitive costs.
Mamabolo warned of fake voter registration websites mimicking the IEC's domain, advising the public against sharing personal details. The first voter registration weekend is set for 20-21 June 2026, after which the election date will be proclaimed, with polls occurring between 2 November 2026 and 31 January 2027. Voters must register at their ordinary residence, with online options limited to RegisterToVote.org.za and www.elections.org.za. From November 2025 to March 2026, 260,205 new registrations were recorded.
Deputy electoral officer Masego Sheburi addressed low turnout, at 58.6% in 2024 compared to 89.3% in 1999, attributing it partly to young people's disillusionment with politics rather than mere apathy. The IEC plans to release research on turnout factors soon. With 508 registered parties—299 national and 209 at provincial levels—concerns persist about lengthy ballots, as seen in the 2024 three-ballot system that slowed counting. Sheburi confirmed adequate funding, with a R2.6-billion election budget excluding administrative costs.
