Hilary Mare

Prof Admire Mare

False and misleading information has infested the political atmosphere, as the country prepares for its presidential and parliamentary elections on 27 November. 

This concerning trend not only undermines the integrity of the electoral process, but also poses a significant threat to democracy itself. Swapo recently accused the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) of spreading falsehoods, particularly regarding allegations that the ruling party plans to rig the elections due to its close ties with Zimbabwe’s beleaguered Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). 

Such accusations are not isolated; they are part of a broader pattern of mis-and disinformation that could skew public perception and influence voter behaviour as the country prepares for its seventh general elections since gaining independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.

In the digital age, information spreads faster than ever, and while this can be beneficial for access to information and free expression, it also opens the door for the rapid dissemination of falsehoods. 

In Namibia, the lead-up to the elections has seen a surge in misleading claims, particularly from anonymous sources. A notable example includes a recent allegation from an unnamed blogger associated with the Windhoek Times, which falsely asserted that the wife of Job Amupanda, the leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement, is still in good standing with the Swapo Party. 

In his response, Amupanda characterised this as a below-the-belt jab in which political rivals go after wives and children, instead of entering the idea’s battle arena.

Disinformation—which refers to the purposeful spreading of false and misleading information designed to mislead others and confuse fact and fiction—can take many forms. These include fabricated news stories, manipulated images and misleading social media posts. Bad actors including geopolitical, parties, politicians, public relations consultants, corporates and cyber-trolls employ a wide range of tactics and strategies to create confusion, sow distrust and manipulate public opinion. 

In Namibia, the stakes are particularly high, as political parties vie for power in a nation that has made significant strides in democratic governance since its independence in 1990. In the upcoming elections, the country will witness the first female presidential aspirant from Swapo—Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, going toe to toe with mostly male opposition leaders such as Panduleni Itula, McHenry Venaani, Bernadus Swartbooi and Job Amupanda.

Esther Muinjangue  (61) of Nudo was the only female candidate in 2019. The entrance of female candidates in other jurisdictions has often been accompanied by magnified cases of gendered disinformation campaigns. Thus far, the country has not yet recorded significant false and misleading information targeting female politicians on the basis of their gender, marital status and educational qualifications.

The impact of disinformation on elections is profound. It can distort the public’s understanding of candidates and their policies, leading to uninformed voting decisions. When voters are bombarded with false narratives, they may struggle to discern the truth, ultimately undermining the democratic process. 

For instance, a significant portion of the electorate may feel disillusioned and disengaged if they believe a party is engaging in electoral fraud, leading to lower voter turnout and a lack of faith in the system.

Moreover, disinformation can exacerbate political polarisation. When parties resort to mudslinging and character-assassination instead of constructive debate, it fosters an environment of hostility and division. This not only affects the political climate, but also poses risks to national stability. 

Namibia has a history of peaceful elections. In light of these challenges, it is imperative for political parties and their supporters to refrain from engaging in disinformation campaigns. Rather than resorting to mudslinging, parties should focus on presenting their platforms, and the merits of their candidates. 

Constructive dialogue and honest discourse are essential for a healthy democracy. There is need for the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to implement the Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections in Africa. It should  encourage various electoral stakeholders to articulate their visions for the country and engage with voters on substantive issues that matter, without falling to the preying of spreading false and misleading information.

The responsibility to combat disinformation does not lie solely with political parties; it also falls on the media, civil society, electoral management body (such as ECN), platform companies (such as Meta, Google, TikTok, X and so forth) fact-checking organisations (like Namibia Fact Check), and the electorate. 

Journalists must commit to fact-checking and providing accurate reporting, and civil society organisations can play a crucial role in educating voters about recognising and rejecting misinformation. Voters themselves must remain vigilant, critically evaluating the information they encounter, and seeking out credible sources.

The detrimental effects of disinformation are not merely theoretical; there are historical precedents that illustrate its consequences. In various African countries, disinformation campaigns have led to violence, unrest and even civil conflict. In the global North, during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, widespread misinformation about candidates and their policies contributed to a deeply-polarised electorate, and a contentious political environment that still has repercussions today.

Similar patterns are evident in Africa. Elections in countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have weaponised disinformation, resulting in violence and societal division. These examples underscore the importance of safeguarding the electoral process from the corrosive effects of falsehoods.

As Namibia gears up for the upcoming elections, the need for a collective effort to combat disinformation has never been more pressing. Political parties must commit to ethical campaigning practices that emphasise transparency and accountability. 

The media should provide voters with truthful, relevant and reliable information for them to make informed political choices. 

As voting approaches, a lot is at stake. The future of the nation depends on a commitment to honest dialogue and a rejection of the toxic culture of disinformation that threatens to undermine the very foundations of democracy.

*Hilary Mare is a PhD candidate with the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Johannesburg. 

*Prof Admire Mare is an Associate Professor and Head of Department: Communication and Media at the University of Johannesburg. He is a thought leader on digital platforms and AI regulation.