The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has warned the public about fake election posters circulating on social media that falsely claim foreign nationals are standing as independent candidates in certain wards in the Eastern Cape.
According to the IEC, the posters specifically mention wards in Mdantsane and Ezibeleni and suggest that foreign nationals will be contesting elections there. The commission has dismissed these claims as false and urged the public not to share unverified information.
The IEC clarified that South African law does not allow foreign nationals to stand for public office.
“Only registered South African citizens are eligible to contest elections,” the commission said, adding that every candidate must go through a strict verification process before being approved to run.
The verification process includes screening candidates through the IEC’s Candidate Nomination System as well as cross-checking with the national voters’ roll to ensure all requirements are met.
“This process ensures that only qualified candidates are allowed to stand for election and prevents ineligible individuals from being nominated,” the commission said.
The commission also noted that the only upcoming by-election in the Eastern Cape will take place on 18 March 2026 and it is not scheduled for the wards mentioned in the fake posters.
Authorities have urged members of the public to verify election-related information through official IEC platforms before sharing it on social media.
The IEC warned that spreading misinformation can mislead voters and undermine confidence in the country’s electoral processes.
Citizens are encouraged to rely on verified information from the Electoral Commission of South Africa and other official sources to ensure the integrity of the democratic process is protected.
