South Africans have until 21 July to submit comments on a draft code aimed at combating false information during elections.
The Electoral Commission has published the draft Electoral Code of Conduct on Countering Disinformation in the Government Gazette and is calling on the public to help shape the final framework ahead of the local government elections in November.
The commission published the draft code on 30 June and said it marks an important step in protecting the integrity of electoral processes.
All South Africans, political parties, independent candidates, civil society organisations, media practitioners, academics, technology companies and election observers have been invited to study the draft and submit their comments before the closing date.
The code seeks to establish clear principles and standards that encourage responsible conduct by all electoral participants and stakeholders. It promotes ethical communication, transparency and accountability while upholding constitutional rights to freedom of expression, political participation and access to information.
The draft code aims to give practical effect to constitutional rights while prohibiting the intentional spread of false election-related information. It also seeks to foster an informed and credible information environment that supports the free flow of accurate and trustworthy election information.
The code will provide guidance to political parties, candidates, public representatives and other influential actors on the standards of conduct expected in preventing, identifying and responding to disinformation that threatens electoral integrity and democratic processes.
It will also establish practical measures to prevent, detect and respond to disinformation in the digital environment, including content spread through social media platforms and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The commission said countering disinformation is a shared responsibility and that the success of South Africa’s democracy depends on the active participation of citizens and stakeholders in protecting the integrity of electoral information and promoting informed public debate.
“The public consultation process provides an opportunity for all interested persons to contribute to the development of a practical, balanced and effective framework that supports credible elections while respecting constitutional rights and freedoms. The Commission therefore encourages all South Africans to review the draft Code and submit constructive comments and proposals,” the commission said in a statement on Thursday.
The draft code can be accessed here.
South Africa will go to the polls in the local government elections on 4 November. Last month the commission held a voter registration weekend and said citizens responded to the call to register and update their voter details ahead of the polls.
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