The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has warned the public about fake election posters circulating on social media ahead of the country’s upcoming local government elections.
According to the commission, the misleading posters falsely suggest that foreign nationals are standing as candidates for local government positions. The material, which appears to represent various political parties, has been widely shared online in recent days.
The warning comes as South Africa prepares for municipal elections expected to take place in the coming months, where voters will elect councils for district, metropolitan and local municipalities across all nine provinces.
The IEC said the posters form part of a growing wave of election related misinformation appearing on social media platforms. The commission cautioned that the spread of false information could mislead voters and inflame tensions in the lead up to the polls.
Some of the fabricated posters claim that foreign nationals are standing as independent candidates in wards in Mdantsane and Ezibeleni. Similar digital posters featuring foreign nationals have also been circulating in parts of the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal.
Authorities say it remains unclear where the posters originated or whether they may have been generated using artificial intelligence.
The IEC emphasised that, in terms of South African law, foreign nationals are not allowed to contest elections. Only registered South African citizens are eligible to stand for public office.
The commission also noted that all candidates must go through a formal verification process using the Candidate Nomination System and the voters’ roll, ensuring that only eligible individuals can appear on election ballots.
The IEC has urged the public to verify political information before sharing it online and to avoid spreading unverified content that could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
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