Pretoria — South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission has raised concerns about the growing risk of generative artificial intelligence and hyper-local disinformation campaigns influencing voter perceptions ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
The Commission said the rapid advancement of generative AI tools, capable of producing realistic text, audio and video content, presents a significant threat to electoral integrity if left unchecked. Officials warned that manipulated content could be used to spread false information about candidates, voting procedures or election results.
In particular, the IEC flagged the danger of hyper-local disinformation, where false narratives are tailored to specific communities or wards. Such content, often circulated through messaging platforms and community-based social media groups, can be difficult to detect and counter in real time.
The Commission noted that while misinformation is not new, the scale, speed and sophistication enabled by artificial intelligence mark a new phase in election-related risks. Deepfake videos and AI-generated voice clips could be deployed to impersonate political leaders or election officials, potentially eroding public trust.
The IEC has urged political parties, civil society organisations and technology platforms to collaborate in combating false narratives. It emphasised the importance of media literacy, fact-checking and responsible online engagement by voters.
South Africa’s local government elections are expected to take place later this year, with millions of citizens set to cast their ballots. The Commission said it is strengthening monitoring mechanisms and working with stakeholders to ensure that voters have access to accurate and verified information.
The warning comes amid global concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on democratic processes, as several countries have reported election-related misinformation amplified through digital platforms.
The IEC reiterated that the credibility of the electoral process depends not only on logistical readiness but also on safeguarding the information environment in which voters make their decisions.
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