The co-operative governance department has lashed out against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema who accused the electoral body of rigging elections at the weekend.

"The statement by the EFF at its elections manifesto launch...is wrong, misleading and malicious," spokesperson Legadima Leso said on Monday.

During the launch of the EFF's 2016 local government election manifesto in Orlando, Soweto on Saturday, Malema said there were only two parties contesting the elections, his party and the African National Congress (ANC).

Maleme then accused the Independent Electoral Commission of Sa of being the third party contesting the elections.

"There is a third party who is contesting against us – the IEC… I want to warn the IEC, please be like the judiciary and be independent. You stole our votes in Alexandra. We defeated the ANC in Gauteng in 2014. They stole our votes."

Leso said it was disappointing that some were questioning the IEC's integrity because the electoral body was responsible for upholding and advancing democracy, and its integrity was crucial to that.

"As government we would like to issue a stern warning to the EFF and anyone who underestimates the importance of the IEC and its immaculate track record of being objective and truthful in delivering successful elections in a fair and unbiased manner," Leso said.

"This malicious attack on the IEC, is surely also a brutal attack on our constitution."