The IEC has cautioned the public against misinformation circulating on social media regarding voting. (Misha Jordaan/Gallo Images)
- The IEC has cautioned the public against misinformation circulating on social media.
- The message claimed that the IEC had permitted voters aged 60 and older to register to vote before 29 May.
- Special vote application has been open since 15 April.
The IEC has cautioned the public against misinformation circulating on social media after a message encouraged voters older than 60 to apply to vote early.
The message, which circulated on WhatsApp on Monday, claimed that the IEC had permitted voters aged 60 and older to register to vote before 29 May.
“Important for everyone over 60. Voting day is 29 May. If you want to avoid long queues and parking problems: The IEC has given permission for everyone over 60 to vote on the 27 and 28 at the polling station where you are registered. Just text (SMS) your ID no to 32249,” read the text.
The IEC distanced itself from the message:
This is not a message from the commission. The Electoral Commission re-emphasises the general principle of election administration that voters must vote where they are registered.
“However, in the event a voter intends to be in a different voting district on voting day, such a voter must notify the commission of their intended absence from their voting district and must identify the voting station where they wish to cast the vote.”
According to the IEC’s criteria, you may qualify for a special vote if you:
- Cannot travel to your voting station because you are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant.
- Or, if you can’t vote at your voting station on election day.
The special vote application, which has been open since 15 April, appears to operate on an honour system that allows voters to apply to cast their vote early without providing any reasons for their inability to vote on election day, making the system vulnerable to abuse.
The IEC said a special vote request is legitimate if the person is a registered voter, a South African citizen and at least 18 years old on voting day.
Previously, Cayley Clifford, Africa Check’s deputy chief editor, told News24 that many of the claims the organisation has seen and debunked during election season fit into several categories, including myths about the electoral process; false claims targeting minority groups, including foreign nationals; fake endorsements or false claims of support; and fake claims of achievement.