Allexer Namundjembo
A new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has found that widespread disinformation posed a serious threat to the integrity of Namibia’s 2024 national elections.
The report highlights the role of social media platforms, foreign influence, and artificial intelligence in spreading false information.
Released on Monday, the report states that election-related mis- and disinformation campaigns were active throughout the year, spiking during the voting period and continuing afterwards.
WhatsApp was identified as the most widely used platform for spreading false content.
TikTok, for the first time, emerged as a major source of viral election-related material.
“Election disinformation wasn’t just an online nuisance; it was a coordinated effort that disrupted public understanding and damaged trust in democratic institutions,” said Frederico Links, IPPR project coordinator.
The report shows that ruling and opposition parties, electoral bodies, and government institutions were all targeted.
Some campaigns were linked to foreign actors and amplified by online influencers through cross-border digital networks.
False reports designed to resemble legitimate journalism contributed to the spread of disinformation.
The report also noted that poor reporting standards, both locally and internationally, played a role in amplifying inaccuracies.
“The problem is not just the disinformation itself but also the weak information ecosystem that allows it to spread unchecked,” said Links. “Inaccurate news reports, lack of fact-checking, and a poorly informed public all play a role.”
The report highlights the rise of AI-generated “cheap fakes”, videos and images altered by artificial intelligence.
While many of these were easily identified as false, their circulation still caused confusion and reduced public trust.
According to the report, electoral authorities were unprepared for the scale and complexity of digital disinformation.
This left key institutions exposed at a time when transparency and trust were essential.
The IPPR recommends that authorities lead national efforts to improve civic, media, and digital literacy.
It calls on the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to adopt continental guidelines on digital media use during elections and to prioritise the release of accurate electoral information.
The report urges the media to make fact-checking a standard editorial practice and to help educate the public.
It also encourages civil society to work with the government, ECN, and media to develop long-term strategies for protecting information integrity.
“This is not a call for censorship but for smarter responses to a complex problem,” said Links. “We need coordinated action to protect our democracy.”
Several incidents during the 2024 elections demonstrate the impact of disinformation.
These include a fake letter falsely attributed to the Swapo Party suggesting bribery, which the ECN quickly debunked.
Viral WhatsApp messages labelled “Deep Intelligence” falsely accused Swapo’s presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, of espionage.
A fabricated audio clip tried to portray LPM leader Bernadus Swartbooi making tribalist remarks.
AI-generated visuals falsely showed Nandi-Ndaitwah collapsing at a rally.
Other false content included deepfake-style claims suggesting that opposition leader Panduleni Itula was a foreign agent, as well as posts that misattributed political endorsements to former president Sam Nujoma.
The report concludes that these examples show how easily false narratives can spread and damage public trust in Namibia’s democratic processes.
