THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has strongly rejected allegations by EFF president Julius Malema that votes were swapped at his Polokwane voting station during the 2024 elections.
The commission warned that repeated false statements by political leaders could undermine public confidence ahead of the municipal elections in November.
In a statement released on Monday, 18 May 2026, the IEC denied Malema's claims made in a recent podcast that the commission swapped EFF votes for ANC votes at Mponegele Primary School in Limpopo.
The entity said the result slips in its possession match exactly with what was captured on the Results System.
"This is not correct," said IEC spokeswoman Kate Bapela.
She expressed concern over what she described as "sustained, yet inaccurate, statements" about management and the integrity of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
IEC warns about election trust
The IEC said the timing of the allegations is worrying as Mzansi will vote in the local government elections on 4 November.
The commission warned that false claims by political party leaders could damage public trust in the upcoming elections.
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The IEC explained that result slips completed at voting stations remain the final record of voters' choices within each voting district.
Safeguards explained
The IEC outlined several safeguards used to protect election results.
These include votes being counted in front of party agents and observers, result slips being countersigned by party agents, and results being captured using a double-blind process.
Independent auditors also verify captured results against result slips.
Political parties are further allowed to photograph and broadcast result slips immediately after they are completed.
The IEC said parties are also allowed to audit the results system, while voting station results are shared with political parties and the media through Results Operating Centres.
Meeting with EFF planned
The IEC confirmed that senior officials are scheduled to meet with EFF leadership on Thursday, 21 May 2026 as part of ongoing stakeholder consultations.
"The meeting will be used to brief the party on election readiness matters and deal with any issues that the party may wish to raise relating to the electoral process," said Bapela.
The IEC said it remains open to constructive engagement with all political parties on matters affecting the integrity and credibility of South Africa's democracy.
