By 
PRETORIA — South Africa’s Electoral Commission (IEC) has extended the public comment window for its proposed Electoral Code of Conduct on Disinformation to Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
The move gives political parties, tech platforms, and civil society additional breathing room to scrutinize rules designed to curb fake news and AI-driven manipulation ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The decision comes after multiple key stakeholders requested more time to examine the draft regulations and formulate technical submissions. Originally slated to close earlier in July, the consultation period was prolonged to ensure broad-based consensus on a framework that sits at the sensitive intersection of digital regulation and constitutional rights.
Balancing Integrity Against Free Speech
At the core of the draft Code is an effort to tackle the intentional spread of false or misleading election material without infringing upon free expression or political campaigning. With digital platforms and generative AI tools creating new vulnerabilities—ranging from synthetic audio deep fakes to hyper-local disinformation campaigns targeting individual municipal wards—the commission faces an unprecedented challenge.
“The draft Code… seeks to strengthen measures to combat the deliberate spread of false or misleading information during elections while safeguarding the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and political participation,” the IEC stated.
The proposed regulations outline expectations for political entities, candidates, media organizations, and digital platforms. Penalties for non-compliance could include referral to the Electoral Court, financial fines, or administrative sanctions for parties caught knowingly producing, sponsoring, or distributing deceptive content.
High Demand for Stakeholder Engagement
The request for an extension underscores the complex realities surrounding digital electoral regulation. Tech giants managing major social networks, civil society watchdogs monitoring voter education, and political parties preparing their municipal campaigns have all scrambled to parse the draft’s legal enforcement mechanisms.
Industry insiders note that defining actionable “disinformation” without stifling robust political debate remains a key hurdle. Furthermore, enforcing rapid takedowns or requiring corrections on encrypted messaging apps present technical hurdles that require tight collaboration between local authorities and international platforms.
Final Call for Input
The IEC has called on all interested groups—including academia, digital platform representatives, independent candidates, and everyday voters—to submit their written feedback before the revised deadline.
Submissions must be e-mailed directly to NaidooD@elections.org.za no later than Wednesday, 29 July 2026. As municipal campaign activity begins to accelerate, the final shape of this Code will set crucial precedents for how South Africa protects the integrity of its local democracy in the digital age.
