IEC flags AI-generated Nelson Mandela video ahead of local government elections
The AI-generated video shows Mandela apparently urging voters to turn their backs on the ANC.
As South Africa's 2026 Local Government Elections approach, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has raised awareness of potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in political messaging. An AI-generated video allegedly featuring the late former president Nelson Mandela has come under scrutiny, purportedly urging voters to avoid the ANC and accusing the party of corruption and pilfering pension funds.
IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela acknowledged public concerns regarding the AI-generated deepfake video, yet she underscored that satire, parody, political commentary, and criticism remain protected forms of democratic expression under the electoral framework. The Disinformation Code specifies that these forms of expression are safeguarded as long as they fall within the boundaries of protected speech.
However, Bapela noted that the Disinformation Code also imposes responsibilities on political parties and candidates when employing AI-generated content during election campaigns. The code mandates that such content be clearly labeled, thus ensuring transparency and preventing voter deception.
Bapela emphasized that the IEC's mandate does not entail policing political viewpoints or swaying voter decisions. Instead, the commission's primary responsibility lies in preserving the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that South African citizens can make informed selections based on reliable information. The commission, she reiterated, does not aim to regulate legitimate political opinions or dictate voters' political inclinations.
Its sole obligation is to shield the electoral process from corruption and to facilitate informed decision-making.
The matter has been forwarded to Real411, the designated platform for handling and scrutinizing complaints related to suspected election-related disinformation. The IEC has vowed to investigate the issue through the appropriate channels and legal framework.
In light of the ongoing controversy, Bapela urged South Africans to exercise caution when encountering AI-generated political content online. She advised the public to verify information before disseminating it and to consult official Commission channels for accurate election-related data.
The IEC further revealed that they have partnered with tech giants such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and Moxii Africa to combat disinformation. This collaboration followed over 700 election-related complaints, many of which were traced back to posts on the X platform. The Commission has already received more than 700 allegations of misinformation as they intensify their efforts to uphold the credibility of the impending 2026 local government elections.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
