Electoral fraud refers to the illegal interference with the process of an election through deliberate wrongdoing.
The following behaviour is illegal. Do not:
• prevent someone from speaking to other voters;
• prevent a political event or rally from being held when you do not have the right to do so;
• bribe or influence an official of the Electoral Commission while they are doing their duty;
• misinform the Electoral Commission when you are asked to provide a statement;
• publish false information about an election that may disrupt, prevent or influence the election results;
• publish false information that may create anger or fear and could change the election results;
• interfere with a voter’s right to secrecy when he or she is voting;
• give information about voting or the counting of votes when you are not allowed to;
• interfere with any voting materials;
• make, produce or supply election materials when by law you are not allowed to;
• remove, hide or destroy election materials when by law you are not allowed to;
• damage or remove election posters, billboards or placards – this is not allowed from the date that an election is proclaimed (announced) until the election results have been given out by the Electoral Commission;
• use the voters’ roll or election materials for purposes other than the election;
• prevent the Electoral Commission from doing their duties in running the election; or
• try to harm the honesty and dignity of the Electoral Commission.
What happens if you commit electoral fraud or any of the offences listed?
• You may be fined.
• You may be sent to prison for up to 10 years.
(Information obtained from the Independent Electoral Commission)
Also read: Elections 2016: What will happen in Orania?
On this day in history: South Africa held its first democratic elections
