THE Electoral Commission (IEC) has appointed former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke to lead a review process to determine whether it will be possible to hold free and fair elections on October 27.
The review panel is to advise the IEC if polls can go ahead under the current COVID-19 conditions.
The IEC chairperson Glen Mashinini said on Thursday that Moseneke will undertake an urgent appraisal of all the relevant legal, socio-political, health, practical and other considerations and submit a report to the commission during July.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced last month that the elections would be held on October 27 amid calls from some parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and other political formations, for the polls to be postponed.
Those calling for the postponements argued that lockdown regulations did not allow for effective campaigning.
Mashinini said they were encouraged by the holding of about 150 by-elections since the outbreak of the coronavirus in March last year, arguing that this was proof of the commission’s capacity to hold the elections in the current climate.
“Preparations to host the Local Government Elections are at an advanced stage and the Commission is satisfied that it is possible to conduct successful elections within the current circumstances,” said Mashinini.
“The Commission is also confident that the special COVID-19 protocols and measures to be put in place for the elections will provide adequate safeguards. These measures have been tested in over 150 by-elections conducted over the past six months.”
“The Commission is not oblivious to the uncertainties and unpredictability of the pandemic and the risks associated with hosting events which bring together large numbers of people. We also understand that these circumstances will require political parties and candidates to adjust their traditional campaign strategies.”
While the review panel’s process is underway, the Electoral Commission said it will continue with all its preparations to hold the elections on 27 October 2021 as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The formal proclamation of the elections by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, which triggers a series of electoral processes in terms of the law, must still take place by early August.
- Inside Politics
