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IEC asks public to report election fake news on Real411

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The Electoral Commission (IEC) announced a partnership with Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and Moxii Africa to counter disinformation before the 4 November Local Government Elections. It wants the public to report suspicious election content through its Real411 platform.

Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said the partnership removes barriers to direct access to the platforms. He said it allows instant action against people who spread disinformation. He also said a technically flawless election can still lose public trust if citizens are overwhelmed by disinformation.

Microsoft South Africa joined the partnership. Abongile Vanda, its Director of Government Affairs, said: "Free, fair and credible elections depend on people being able to trust the information they see."

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is developing fact-checking technologies. Its researchers say generative AI has industrialised the creation of fake media. They say this floods networks with synthetic video, voice clones and emotive narratives meant to manipulate voters.

Key facts

Who
Sy Mamabolo (Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Commission); Abongile Vanda (Director of Government Affairs at Microsoft South Africa); Tholoana Ncheke-Mahlaela (TikTok Government Relations and Public Policy Lead for Southern Africa); William Bird (Director of Moxii Africa)
What
The Electoral Commission (IEC) urged the public to report suspicious election-related content through its Real411 platform ahead of the 4 November Local Government Elections. The article also reports that the IEC announced a partnership with Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok and Moxii Africa to counter election disinformation, and that the CSIR is developing fact-checking technologies.
When
30 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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