The Independent Electoral Commission has warned political parties and candidates against knowingly distributing false information about the upcoming national and provincial elections.
The IEC briefed the media on Tuesday and said those to have violated laws governing the elections may face prison time.
The commission was reacting to a weekend claim by the DA that it was leading the ANC with voter registration, declaration yet to be explained by the party.
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says while the official opposition may argue it’s part of robust campaigning, the party and others contesting the elections needed to be cautious when making public statements.
“ there’s not been a complaint laid formally with the commission against the DA. Of course we do have the office for electoral offenses which handles complaints such as those. I think we also need to be careful as a country so that we distinguish between disinformation and robust campaigning because sometimes between those two there appears to be some confusion but of course once again we really call upon leaders to be careful with the statements they make so they do not end up being investigated by the office of electoral offenses for statements that may be perceived or that may be infact violating the rules or constituting prohibited conduct or even the violating the electoral conduct,”said Mamabolo.
Mamabolo said those found on the wrong may face jail time.
“Let’s say the following things regarding the matters related to the climate in which the elections happen. in the electoral act there are prohibited conduct. the peddling of false information constitute violation of the electoral act and such transgressions are in fact criminal offenses so such persons distributing false information about the elections can be tried and upon conviction be liable for a jail term of between 5 and ten years,” he said.
“What needs to be clarified is that when a person applies for registration they register to go on the voters’ roll. you don’t register for a particular political party. you can’t make a claim that people have registered for you because that determination can only be made in the ballot box, claiming people are registered for you is a stretch of the truth. you have so many choices, you can marry whoever you chose to marry regardless of who got you to register,” said IEC Commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku.