There is a special kind of energy that comes with election season in South Africa. The conversations at taxi ranks, the debates on social media, the hope and the anxiety in equal measure. As the country waits for the official outcome of the 2026 Local Government Elections, the Government has stepped forward with a clear and urgent message: do not let false information steal the meaning of this democratic moment. Speaking from the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Friday, Government Deputy Spokesperson William Baloyi appealed to every South African and every political party to resist the temptation to spread misinformation and disinformation about the elections. His warning was not a casual request. It was a reminder that the integrity of the electoral process is fragile, and that it depends on patience, trust, and respect for the institutions that have been put in place to protect voters’ voices. Baloyi specifically pointed to two problems that have become increasingly common in recent elections: the circulation of unverified results, and the sharing of unauthorised photographs of marked ballot papers. These actions may seem harmless to some, especially in an age where everything is documented and shared online, but they can cause real damage. They confuse the public, create false narratives, and cast unnecessary doubt on a process that has been carefully designed to be transparent and fair. At the centre of his message was a simple but important principle: the IEC is the only authority that is legally allowed to announce election results. No political party, no independent candidate, no social media influencer, and no concerned citizen has the right to declare victory or defeat before the official count is completed and verified. The process may be slow, and the waiting may be difficult, but that is because accuracy matters more than speed. Baloyi’s words were a reminder that democracy is not only about voting; it is also about trusting the systems we created to count those votes honestly.
Baloyi went further, addressing the legal and practical consequences of spreading misinformation and disinformation. In the simplest terms, he said, these are criminal acts. That may sound harsh to someone who thought they were just sharing a quick update or reacting to a viral post, but the law is clear. False information during an election can spark conflict, undermine confidence in the electoral system, and even lead to violence. The South African Police Service, he noted, has already confirmed that a number of people have been arrested in connection with electoral misinformation and disinformation. This is not an abstract warning for a distant future; it is happening now, and it is a reminder that the digital world has real-world consequences. One particular example he highlighted was the practice of taking a photograph of yourself with a marked ballot paper and sharing it online. Some people do this as a way to show civic pride, or to encourage others to vote. But the electoral rules say that it is not allowed, and there are good reasons for that. The secrecy of the ballot is a cornerstone of free and fair elections. It allows people to vote according to their own conscience, without fear of being judged, pressured, or targeted by others. When that secrecy is broken, even by the voter themselves, it opens the door to intimidation and vote-buying. It also creates opportunities for false claims: images can be staged, edited, or taken out of context to suggest that something improper happened. Baloyi also expressed concern about people circulating speculative results before the IEC has made its official announcement. In a hyper-connected society, it is easy to see how a rumour can spread in seconds. A screenshot of a spreadsheet, a WhatsApp forward, a tweet claiming to have inside information: all of these can create confusion and mislead the public. He urged South Africans to show restraint and to allow the results-capturing and verification processes to run their course. It might take time, and the final numbers might be delayed, but a careful and honest count is always better than a quick and questionable one.
For political parties and independent candidates, Baloyi had a special message. In any election, there are moments of tension, disagreement, and even perceived injustice. Candidates and their supporters are emotionally invested in the outcome, and it is natural for concerns to arise about counting, voter rolls, station management, or any number of technical issues. But the way those concerns are raised matters. Baloyi called on all parties and candidates to use the appropriate IEC mechanisms to lodge complaints or objections, rather than issuing public statements that could create unnecessary tension. This is a mature and responsible approach to democratic competition. It acknowledges that no election is perfect, but also that there are established processes to address problems. When parties bypass those processes and go directly to the media or to social media, they are not just criticising the system; they may be destabilising it. Unverified accusations can inflame passions, deepen polarisation, and make it harder for the country to accept the final result. Baloyi also urged all stakeholders to respect the outcome of the elections once the results have been finalised. This does not mean that everyone has to be happy with the result, or that they are not allowed to feel disappointed. It means accepting that the result, whatever it is, reflects the will of the voters as expressed at the ballot box. In a democracy, political power is not seized or inherited; it is granted by the people. To reject a final certified result without evidence of fraud or legal irregularity is to reject the very principle of democratic legitimacy. Baloyi’s words were directed at parties and candidates, but they apply equally to voters. We all have a role to play in ensuring that the electoral process ends with peace and acceptance. We can disagree with a result, but we should not undermine the system that made it possible. The democratic project depends on losers accepting defeat with grace, and winners exercising power with humility. This is not weakness; it is strength. It is what separates a truly democratic society from one that simply goes through the motions.
Amid the warnings and concerns, there was also a moment of genuine celebration. Baloyi took time to commend South Africans, especially young people, for participating in the elections. The sight of long queues, of first-time voters, of students and professionals and young parents making their way to polling stations, was described as an important milestone in the country’s democratic development. This is not just a feel-good observation; it has real significance. A democracy cannot thrive if its youngest citizens are absent from the process. The IEC will, of course, provide the official voter turnout figures, and those numbers will tell their own precise story. But Baloyi was already welcoming reports of increased youth participation, while also stressing that more young people must be encouraged to take part in democratic processes. He did not treat this as a one-time victory, but as a challenge to build on. The local government elections are particularly important in this regard because municipalities are the sphere of government closest to communities. They are responsible for the services that affect daily lives: water, electricity, refuse removal, street lighting, road maintenance, public libraries, and more. When people say that local government matters, they are not speaking abstractly. They are talking about whether taps flow, whether streets are safe, and whether communities are liveable. Young people, who often have fresh ideas and high expectations, have a unique role to play in this space. They are not just voters; they are future councillors, municipal managers, community activists, and civic leaders. Their participation in elections is a signal that they care about the future of their communities, and that they expect their leaders to deliver. But Baloyi’s praise was also a gentle challenge. Voting is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning. If young people vote in large numbers, they must also stay involved after election day. They must attend community meetings, ask difficult questions, monitor service delivery, and hold their elected representatives accountable. This is what it means to be a citizen in a living democracy. The turnout itself is important, but what comes next matters just as much.
Baloyi also took time to acknowledge the security services and other stakeholders who worked to ensure that the elections were generally incident-free, despite isolated challenges. This is an easy thing to overlook. Elections in South Africa are complex operations involving thousands of polling stations, millions of voters, and a vast array of logistical and security arrangements. It would be naive to expect perfection in every single location. There may be delays, cancellations, disputes, or isolated incidents. But the overall picture described by Baloyi was one of stability and resilience. That does not happen by accident. It is the result of careful planning and the dedication of police officers, election officials, volunteers, and community leaders who take their responsibilities seriously. They all deserve recognition and gratitude. But Baloyi was also clear that the work is not finished once the last ballot is counted. Voting, he said, is only one part of the democratic process. Citizens should continue to hold elected representatives accountable by attending public meetings, following up on service delivery commitments, and making their voices heard between elections. This is an important reminder. Democracy can become passive if we treat it as a once-in-a-while activity. In reality, it is a continuous practice. Public participation is not limited to election day; it is a daily discipline of paying attention, speaking up, and taking part in the decisions that shape our lives. Local government is the perfect starting point for this kind of engagement, because it is the level of government where decisions are most tangible and visible. A resident who attends a ward committee meeting or a municipal budget consultation is doing just as much for democracy as someone who queues at a polling station. In fact, sustained engagement is often what forces elected officials to keep their promises. Baloyi’s words invited South Africans to see themselves not just as voters, but as active partners in governance. That is a more demanding role, but it is also a more rewarding one.
In his closing remarks, Baloyi offered a powerful and hopeful summary: “South Africa has once again demonstrated that it was a living democracy.” There is something deeply meaningful in that statement. A living democracy is not a static institution or a single moment in history. It is something that breathes, grows, adapts, and sometimes struggles. It is shaped by the people who take part in it, by their hopes, their disappointments, and their determination to keep going. The 2026 Local Government Elections may be remembered for many things: voter turnout, political debates, the challenges of misinformation, the resilience of the electoral system. But above all, they should be remembered as proof that South Africans still believe in the power of their own voices. They did not stay home. They did not give up on democracy because it was complicated or imperfect. They showed up, in large numbers, and they cast their ballots. That is no small thing in a world where democratic participation is often declining and where faith in institutions is frequently shaken. The days ahead will require patience and maturity. Results will be announced, certified, and possibly disputed. Some people will be happy, and others will not. But the fundamental task for everyone is to protect the democratic space that so many people fought for and continue to build. Misinformation and disinformation will always be threats. Political tensions will always exist. But if South Africans continue to respect the authority of the IEC, to raise concerns through the proper channels, and to hold their leaders accountable in a peaceful and responsible way, then the democratic journey will continue to move forward. Baloyi’s message was not just a warning or a celebration. It was an invitation. An invitation to take ownership of democracy, to be patient during difficult moments, and to remember that the work of building a nation is never truly finished. As the results come in and the dust begins to settle, the real test will be whether citizens, parties, and leaders can carry that spirit with them into the future. If they can, South Africa will indeed remain a living democracy, not for one election cycle, but for generations to come.