IEC PPE funding still lingering

While it is all systems go for the upcoming local government elections, the personal protective wear funding for the Electoral Commission (IEC) employees for the voting day has not yet been finalised.

Last month, the IEC disclosed that it did not have PPE funding in its existing budget.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday (September 6) in Centurion, IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said their talks with the national treasury requesting PPE funding were at the final stages.

“We’ve been in discussions with the national treasury and those discussions are now moving towards the conclusion and we do expect to get correspondence confirming allocations for the PPE,” he said.

“That will enable us to acquire the necessary protective wear for the staff that will be working at the stations. The matter is just about to be concluded with the national treasury.”

The commission received R2.012-billion (2018/19: R1.96-billion) for the 2019/20 financial year by way of a parliamentary allocation.

However, that budget did not include funding for PPE which saw the commission going back to the treasury to seek additional funding.

Last month, IEC deputy chief Masego Sheburi during a media workshop by the South African National Editors’ Forum said the commission employs about 207 000 people on election day.

“As we speak, the commission does not have funding for PPE. We were able to find savings and reprioritise funds in our budget to procure PPE for registration weekend. So we are in discussions with the national treasury. There is a need for PPE for election day,” he said.

Following the dismissal by the Constitutional Court on Friday (September 3) of the IEC’s application to have the elections postponed to 2022, the commission has forged ahead to prepare for the election ordered to be held between October 27 and November 1.