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Myth Buster
Plain-language fact-checks on claims circulating ahead of the 4 November 2026 local government elections. Each check shows the claim, our finding, the evidence and the sources.
False The evidence contradicts the claim.Misleading Contains some truth but leaves out context that changes its meaning.Verification guide How to check this kind of claim yourself.
FalseViral media
The claim
“A video shows Nelson Mandela telling South Africans how to vote in these elections.”
Our finding: The video is AI-generated. Nelson Mandela died in December 2013. The Electoral Commission has reported the clip to Real411 as suspected election disinformation.
Evidence and sources
The IEC confirmed on 29 October 2026 that it had reported the AI-generated video to Real411.
The Commission urged the public to be cautious with AI-generated content ahead of the elections, and said it does not regulate political opinion — satire, parody and criticism remain protected speech.
Under the Disinformation Code, parties and candidates must label AI-generated content before distributing it.
If you see a clip like this, don't share it — report it to Real411.
“The results shown on election night are the final results.”
Our finding: Results that appear on election night are emerging results, not final ones. They only become official once the IEC has finished counting, verifying and formally declaring them.
Evidence and sources
Emerging results appear on the IEC's results dashboard (results.elections.org.za) as voting stations finish counting, updating every few minutes.
Final results are expected within seven days of voting — around 11 November 2026. The IEC can approach the Electoral Court if a valid reason requires more time.
On 28 October 2026 the IEC declared its results system "ready and fit for purpose" after independent testing and audit.
Early leads can change as more stations report, so avoid sharing "final" tallies before the official declaration.
“If you don't vote, your vote automatically goes to the biggest party.”
Our finding: There is no mechanism that transfers an unused vote to any party. Not voting simply means you have not taken part in deciding the outcome.
Evidence and sources
Seats are allocated only from ballots actually cast and counted at voting stations.
The Electoral Commission has repeatedly corrected this claim; during the June 2026 registration weekend it described abstaining as choosing not to take part in determining the outcome.
No ballot is issued, marked or counted on behalf of a registered voter who stays away.
“You can still register to vote for the 4 November elections.”
Our finding: Registration for these elections has closed. The voters' roll closed at midnight on 10 August 2026 and was certified on 26 August 2026.
Evidence and sources
The election timetable fixed the close of the voters' roll at midnight on 10 August 2026, the day the timetable was published.
The roll was open for inspection from 11 to 18 August and was certified on 26 August 2026.
Messages offering 'late registration' links for this election are not from the Electoral Commission. You can check whether you are registered by SMSing your ID number to 32810.
“You need a smart ID card to vote — the green ID book is no longer accepted.”
Our finding: The green bar-coded ID book is still accepted. You can vote with a smart ID card, a green bar-coded ID book, or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate.
Evidence and sources
The Electoral Commission recognises three forms of identification: the smart ID card, the green bar-coded ID book and a valid Temporary Identity Certificate.
Government's 2026 election-day guide confirms the same three documents.
Driver's licences, passports, student cards and photocopies of ID documents are not accepted.
“Special votes are only for people who are sick or disabled.”
Our finding: Partly true, but incomplete. Special votes were also open to registered voters who could not be at their voting station on 4 November — for example essential-services workers and the media. Applications have now closed.
Evidence and sources
Applications ran from 21 September to 17:00 on 12 October 2026 and are now closed.
The IEC approved a record 2,655,067 special vote applications, 131% more than in 2021.
678,525 of those are home visits for voters who cannot travel because of physical infirmity or disability; the rest vote at their voting station.
Special voting takes place on 2 and 3 November 2026, from 08:00 to 17:00.
Our finding: Ballots differ by municipality. Metro voters receive two ballots (ward and proportional representation); voters in other local municipalities also receive a third for their district council. Some metros have double-column ballots.
Evidence and sources
Government's election-day guide confirms metro voters receive two ballots (ward and PR) and voters in local municipalities receive three (ward, local PR and district PR).
Each ballot lists the parties and candidates contesting that specific ward or council, so ballots vary across the country.
Where more than 48 parties contest a PR ballot, the IEC uses a double-column ballot. This applies in Johannesburg, Tshwane, eThekwini, Ekurhuleni and Cape Town.
Make one clear X in the box next to your choice on each ballot. If you make a mistake, hand the ballot back to the presiding officer instead of posting it.
Our finding: Video can be edited, clipped out of context or generated with AI. Treat a shocking clip as a lead, not proof, until you can trace it to its source.
Evidence and sources
Find the original upload and the full-length version — short clips often remove context.
Look for unnatural movement, mismatched lighting, unusual hands or blurred edges.
Under the Electoral Commission's 2026 Disinformation Code, parties and candidates must clearly label AI-generated content before distributing it.
Suspected election disinformation can be reported to Real411.