Johnathan Paoli
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said South Africa has experienced the highest voter registration since the creation of the voters’ roll with 27.7 million citizens expected to cast their ballot during the 29 May National General Elections.
In outlining the state of readiness for the elections, during his introductory remarks at the Signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct and Ballot Paper Draw ceremony on Thursday at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Mamabosa said the IEC was well prepared.
“Elections are the foundation to our electoral project, fosters legitimacy, accountability, development and is part of our national character without which our project would be nothing,” the CEO said.
Mamabolo said 2.4 million voters have used the online portal with 9100 South Africans living abroad having successfully completed their notifications.
Also, the historical representation of young persons on the voters’ roll is showing signs of improving with increased registration of citizens between the ages of 18 and 29, Mamabolo told the gathering.
The commission would publish a complete list of all voting stations by 12 April and that there are 23 292 voting stations, with a further 954 temporary sites constructed where physical infrastructure was unavailable.
Mamabolo said that 70 political parties and 11 candidates have succeeded in submitting their nominations, with 15 parties contesting on all tiers of the elections. While 14903 candidates have submitted their registration and are expected to contest for 887 seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures.
The commission would publish the final list of candidates and parties by 10 April, with nominees subsequently receiving Certificates of Candidature.
Mamabola said over 95% of logistical supplies for elections were already at hand, with 1873 tons of material being stored between various storage facilities across the country.
About 202 000 voting officials have been recruited and provided with high grade online and practical training, with the commission recruiting additional three staff members for each station and substation in order to support the election officials.
Mamabolo highlighted the importance of media, as an additional mechanism for accountability and transparency, especially in the current era of disinformation and fake news and called on political contestants not to be the generators of false information that might bring harm to the election process.
“We need to be absolutely circumspect in the manner in which we use social media platforms. As leaders of political parties and as citizens let us lead by example fostering a level of trust and integrity,” he said.
IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya in his address said that the country was standing on the threshold of a significant moment in South Africa’s history.
Moepya called on both parties and candidates to help facilitate an environment of peace and tolerance within the election process, and said inciting violence and fake news are strictly prohibited and must be met with harsh accountability measures.
“Adhering to the provisions of the conduct demonstrates respect to the rule of law, stakeholders and institutions of justice. Violations of the Code of Conduct can cause doubt and challenge the legality of the process. The rule of law was essential to the functioning of a healthy democracy,” he said.
He cited the Electoral Court as an arbiter of elective disputes and remained central throughout the process, and implored all candidates to uphold the integrity of the constitution.
“As we forge ahead of the election, the commission wants to express its readiness, we are poised for an exciting election in our time,” Moepya said.
He said the design of the ballot paper, in line with section 68 of the Electoral Act, ensured enhancing legibility, utilising visual cues and would follow an alphabetical order subsequent to the allocation of the first spot of the ballot by means of a draw.
Moepya conducted the draw, but unfortunately the names of independent candidates had been mixed with those of political parties, culminating in the draw of Treatment Action Campaign founder and independent Zackie Achmat.
Following an additional draw, the Alliance of Citizens for Change party won the number one spot.
IEC Commissioner Dhaya Pillay read the Preamble of the Code of Conduct, and outlined the pledge the candidates were agreeing to.
Pillay said the pledge held the candidates responsible for providing an environment which facilitated free political activity, ensuring that voters had the right to hear different political opinions, and declaring that free and fair elections was the only legitimate basis of power.
Despite a warning by the master of ceremonies IEC Commissioner Nomsa Masuku that candidates would only have two minutes in which to declare their pledge, and that this was an inappropriate time for political campaigning, several parties, including ARA, AIC and the ACDP, took the opportunity to campaign for their party.
The African Movement Congress used the opportunity to say that it was the only party that can change the minds of South Africans and said they had the solution to all the country’s problems.
The ANC represented by First Deputy SG Nomvula Mukonyane said the party has voted in six national and provincial elections, and seven local elections,
“We the ANC are committed to honouring and abiding by the code and call on all members to demonstrate tolerance and respect to everyone. We will take disciplinary action against any member who contravenes the code”.
Mokonyane said the journey is far from over, and that the party still had more hills to climb, despite the existence of forces that sought to use the elections to undermine democracy and the progress so far.
DA federal leader John Steenhuisen said “it is a privilege to be here today to reaffirm the party’s commitment to the country’s constitutional democracy”.
“The DA has a proud track record of fighting to preserve, protect and uphold our constitutional dispensation in the face of threats it has faced over the years, including endemic corruption, state capture and service delivery failure,” Steenhuisen said.
The party said that the year’s general elections presented both an opportunity and challenge that the democratic dispensation has faced and that the DA was excited and energised by the maturing of South African democracy.
The EFF Treasurer General Omphile Maotwe spoke to members of the media at the event and reiterated her party’s dedication to bringing transformation to the country.
“Our battle cry for these elections is Land And Jobs Now! Stop Loadshedding! These are at the centre of the liberation of the people of South Africa!”.
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