Under current legislation, the latest possible date for local elections is October 27.

But with the coronavirus pandemic still raging on in South Africa, the date for local elections remains undecided. A term in local elected office generally lasts 5 years, with an extra 90 day prescript allowed should elections not be possible.

There is no legislation which allows for elections to be delayed further, although former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke has recommended such a change given current circumstances.

Moseneke chaired an enquiry into whether an October date would be conducive to a ‘free and fair’ election.

“Having considered all the submissions, applicable law, research on electoral practice during the Covid-19 pandemic and the related science, we conclude that it is not reasonably possible or likely that the elections scheduled for October 2021 will be held in a free and fair manner as required by the peremptory provisions of the Constitution and related legislation,” he said.

He further cited the inability for safe campaigning, lockdown regulations and the disadvantage to those who cannot register electronically as reasons for the extension. He recommended that elections be moved to February 2022, but no later.

However the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) representative for iLembe district, Paul Daniel, told KwaDukuza council on July 29 that Moseneke’s findings were only a recommendation.

“We want to allay the conception that elections will be held in February.

“The extension cannot be made by the IEC, it has to come from a relevant court. Under current legislation, the latest possible date for elections is October 27,” he said.

He emphasised that the local IEC was fully prepared and able to run a fair election should they be held in October.

“We have held successful by-elections during Covid and feel confident that we could do the same again if needed.”

He gave no timeframe on when the voter registration weekend and new date of elections would be announced.

Voter registration is currently open and you can find details of how to register at www.elections.org.za/pw/Voter/How-Do-I-Register.

To check your voter registration status, SMS your ID number to 32810 at a cost of R1, or check online at www.elections.org.za/pw/Voter/Voter-Information. For breaking news follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.