IEC says it’s ready for municipal polls, results to be released on November 4

With only a few days until the municipal elections, the IEC said it was ready and would announce the results on November 4.

On Tuesday, the IEC launched the national elections results operation centre at the Tshwane events centre, where all results of the municipal elections across the country will be published.

Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said 26.2 million voters were expected to participate in the election of government leadership of 257 councils nationally.

In Tshwane, 1 526 295 people registered to vote, which was a slight drop of 30 629 voters compared to the 2019 elections.

Mamabolo said publishing the results at the centre was a measure to ensure the commission adheres to its constitutional duty to conduct free and fair elections.

“The launch of this centre is a testimony of our constitutional promise that South Africa is a functioning vibrant democracy. There is a constitutional charge in the IEC to manage free and fair elections; this is receiving physical expression in the launch of the centre,” he said.

“This centre is also a prism through which the country and the world observe our electoral process. It is thus a window that facilitates the transparency impulse which is at the core of our electoral project.”

Commission chairperson Glen Mashinini said the centre was established to ensure transparency and credibility of the voting processes.

“It is in this place, on these grounds, that we have announced results of and certified as free and fair, all national, provincial and local elections for the past 27 years,” he said.

“Transparency, accountability and ethical conduct are all important values in our work and these elections. Transparency is the main reason the IEC is conducting its business in the open. The public will see all the votes counted on a gigantic screen.”

Forty-five political parties and 46 independent candidates in Tshwane will be participating in the elections.

The region has over 785 voting stations.

ALSO READ: Tshwane elections: IEC set to probe registration glitches and ‘misrepresented party logos’ after complaints

The following registration protocols will adhere at all stations:

– Face mask or cloth covering of the nose and mouth;

– Social distancing of a minimum of 1.5m; and

– Sanitising upon entry into the registration station.

VIDEO: 

Your health and safety is our top priority! If we work together, we can keep each other safe. #EveryVoiceTogether pic.twitter.com/D44gVD1yiN

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) October 26, 2021

[IN PICTURES] Mr. Glen Mashinini, Chairman of IEC, with the UNDP Special Representative, as well as the Venezuela and Portuguese Ambassadors at the launch of the National Results Operation Centre. pic.twitter.com/G7kGvMYCH4

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) October 26, 2021