WATCH: Defend Our Democracy holds Gauteng roadshow to enlist election observers
The group, made up of prominent NGOs and activists, hopes to build a nationwide network of citizen observers to ensure the elections are credible, free and fair.
The civil society group Defend Our Democracy (DoD) held the launch of its Election Observer campaign earlier today (February 24) as part of its Election Watch work.
WATCH:
St George's Cathedral in Parktown is filling up with people who are eager to lend support to the Defend Our Democracy campaign or register to become an election observer. pic.twitter.com/x3rj6HZTVq
— Rosebank Killarney (@RK_Gazette) February 24, 2024
Kedibone Meno (23) Question: Why are election observers important? pic.twitter.com/tKuLds3Zbt
— Rosebank Killarney (@RK_Gazette) February 24, 2024
We can do all the leg work and get people registered to vote, and take them to vote but if the election is stolen then it is for nothing.
— Rosebank Killarney (@RK_Gazette) February 24, 2024
— Rosebank Killarney (@RK_Gazette) February 24, 2024
Observing and monitoring the upcoming national and provincial elections, which will be held on May 29, is a key pillar of its work that seeks to protect democratic values.
DoD and other civil society organisations and activists met in Parktown for the Gauteng leg of their campaign to see as many independent election observers trained and deployed as possible.
The brief for the roadshow says, “This campaign allows organisations at a grassroots level and ordinary members of the public to take up the call for ‘active citizenry’ and build a countrywide network of democracy volunteers to observe the elections.”
The Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape provincial roadshows have already been held.
To become an election watch observer with DoD, register here.
Here are some of the attendees:
Related article: Does civil society have a role to play in the 2024 general elections?
