IEC warns public of disinformation on social media

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has raised concerns over disinformation being shared on social media.

This comes after its alleged involvement in the recent 55th ANC elective conference .

In what appears to be a WhatsApp conversation, screengrabs of an instruction issued to Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo to ensure the outcome of the elective conference for a sum of money have been tweeted in the last few hours.

Spokesperson, Kate Bapela said the IEC does not manage the elections of any political parties.

‘’This content is clearly manufactured and has no basis in reality. As a Chapter 9 institution, mandated to support and defend South Africa’s constitutional democracy, such a practice would be incongruent with its mandate to ensure free, fair and credible elections at all levels of government.’’

In recent months, added Bapela, a person with a cellphone number ending in the digits 9791 has been impersonating CEO Sy Mamabolo.

 ‘’The Electoral Commission views such malicious content in a serious light, and is taking action criminally and with the relevant social media owners,’’ she added.

Bapela pleaded with South Africans to be vigilant and not to automatically trust communication from its leadership.

‘’… Please report any suspicious communication from the Electoral Commission’s leadership to info@elections.org.za and the South African Police Service so that it can track the fraudsters.’’

‘’The Electoral Commission is prioritising collaborating with the investigative arms of the state to counter such incidents of disinformation, as ultimately they undermine our democracy,’’ added IEC National Spokesperson, Kate Bapela

She said the IEC anticipates an increase in such incidents in the approach to the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

 

PICTURE: IEC

Done By: Mitchum George