Local Elections Will Test Voters' Ability to Spot Fake News

• South Africa's IEC gazetted a new Disinformation Code on September 4 to combat election fake news ahead of the November 4 local polls.
• Voter confidence in identifying disinformation has dropped from 62% in 2023 to 52% in 2025/26, with only 18% regularly verifying information.
• The IEC warns of a shift to 'ward-specific deceptions' driven by generative AI and hyper-local campaigning, as social media gains influence (23% of voters now use it for election news).
• South Africans spend an average of 9 hours and 37 minutes online daily, but increased access to information has not led to stronger verification practices.
• Information integrity is becoming integral to citizenship and democracy, requiring democratic tools to evolve as quickly as manipulation technologies, with journalists playing a key defense role.

The challenge for South Africa lies in ensuring that the mechanisms designed to bolster democratic participation can evolve as swiftly as the technologies employed to manipulate it.

In a proactive measure ahead of the country's potentially most competitive local polls on November 4, South Africa's Electoral Commission (IEC) has officially introduced new regulations to combat election disinformation. The "Electoral Code of Conduct Countering Disinformation in the Local Government Elections," or Disinformation Code, was formally gazetted by the IEC on September 4. This legislative step comes at a critical time, as public confidence in identifying false information is notably declining.

Recent data from the IEC's Voter Participation Survey highlights this growing vulnerability. The proportion of respondents who expressed confidence in their ability to recognize fake news decreased from 62% in 2023 to 52% in the 2025/26 period. Compounding this issue, only 18% of individuals reported consistently verifying election-related information before engaging with it through likes, shares, or reposts. These trends underscore the urgent need for robust frameworks like the new Disinformation Code to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming local government elections.

The landscape of how South Africans consume election-related information is undergoing significant transformation. While traditional media channels continue to hold substantial sway, with 71% of respondents relying on television and 38% on radio for voting information, social media platforms are rapidly gaining traction. The percentage of individuals citing social media as a primary source for election news has surged from 8% in 2021 to 23% currently.

Despite this increased access to information, particularly online, there has not been a corresponding improvement in verification practices. South Africans spend an average of nine hours and 37 minutes online daily in 2025, the highest global average, with approximately three and a half hours dedicated to social media. This extensive digital engagement, coupled with the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026 identifying misinformation and disinformation as top societal risks, creates a challenging environment for maintaining information integrity during the South Africa IEC Disinformation Code local elections.

The threat of election manipulation is evolving, with a predicted shift towards more localized and sophisticated tactics. IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya, speaking at the Disinformation Dialogue 2026, warned that future elections, including the 2026 polls, are likely to feature 'ward-specific deceptions' fueled by generative artificial intelligence (AI) and highly targeted hyper-local campaigning. This concern is corroborated by research from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), which indicates a growing trend of disinformation and political messaging becoming increasingly localized and tailored to specific communities and voter demographics.

Community-based WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages have emerged as central hubs for political discourse at the ward and municipal levels. In these digital spaces, information propagates rapidly, often with limited opportunities for verification. Concurrently, political parties are significantly increasing their investment in digital campaigning, utilizing online political advertising and influencer-driven strategies. While these tools can foster greater political engagement, they also blur the lines between genuine political discussion, sponsored content, and coordinated influence campaigns, making it harder for voters to discern authentic information and presenting new challenges for legal compliance under the South Africa election fake news legislation.

The advent of AI further complicates the integrity of electoral processes. Although South Africa has not yet experienced a major election crisis directly linked to deepfakes, AI-generated content is becoming increasingly affordable, accessible, and difficult to detect. This technological advancement means that ensuring information integrity is no longer merely a media concern but an an essential component of citizenship, democracy, and effective governance. The challenge for South Africa lies in ensuring that the mechanisms designed to bolster democratic participation can evolve as swiftly as the technologies employed to manipulate it, a critical consideration for lawyers advising political entities on the IEC local government elections disinformation landscape.

While public discourse often places the onus of verification on social media users, the responsibility cannot rest solely with citizens. Professional and legacy media journalists remain a vital bulwark against false and misleading information. Their role in investigating claims, providing essential context, and scrutinizing competing narratives before they reach the public is indispensable in upholding democratic principles and countering AI election manipulation South Africa.

Lawyers advising political parties, candidates, or media platforms must understand the new IEC Disinformation Code to ensure compliance and mitigate risks related to election disinformation, especially concerning AI-generated content and hyper-local campaigning tactics in the upcoming local government elections.

Source: Original reporting via Bizcommunity