Political parties urged to communicate responsibly ahead of elections

The Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged political parties to communicate responsibly leading up to the Local Government Elections (LGE). The IEC's CEO, Sy Mamabolo, expressed concerns over the spread of misinformation by political parties, which erodes public trust. On November 1st, Mamabolo informed the Mpumalanga Legislature of the IEC's readiness to conduct the elections and highlighted the upcoming staff training, which will be extended to four days.

Trainees must achieve an 80% grade and sign a code of conduct, committing to uphold the values of impartiality, political neutrality, and respect for all voters.

Speaker of Provincial Legislature Makhosazane Masilela emphasized the importance of responsible campaigning. She acknowledged that the IEC would brief all lawmakers on the IEC's plans, encouraging them to address any challenges that may arise during the election campaign. Masilela pointed out that the IEC cannot monitor every situation on the ground and that lawmakers can play a crucial role in resolving issues brought to their attention by the public.