Voter registration weekend postponed by two weeks
The decision was made following a review of the current conditions, including the rate of infections and hospitalisations.
The Electoral Commission has postponed the voter registration weekend for the local government elections by two weeks in light of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At a recent special meeting, the commission rescheduled the voter registration weekend from July 17 to 18 to the weekend of July 31 to August 1.
The decision was made following a review of the current conditions, including the rate of infections and hospitalisations.
The commission also considered concerns raised by political parties through the National Party Liaison Committee of proceeding with voter registration as well as warnings from health officials and other experts during oral submissions before the Moseneke Inquiry regarding the risks of proceeding with a voter registration weekend under the current conditions.
Health experts told the inquiry that the current third wave of infections was likely to persist until at least the end of the month.
The commission remains confident that successful elections can be held within a reduced election timetable of 82 days rather than the original 86 days.
The Electoral Commission has briefed the National Party Liaison Committee on the decision and the revised timelines and plans.
According to the commission it had taken a difficult decision in the interests of saving lives of voters, election staff, party representatives and citizens while still preserving the Constitutional requirement to hold elections.”
The commission is still awaiting the final report of the Moseneke Inquiry into whether the elections can be free and fair if they proceed as scheduled on October 27.
The inquiry is being led by former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke who is scheduled to present his report and its recommendations to the commission by July 21, 2021.
The commission said it will continue to monitor developments regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, the outcome of the Moseneke Inquiry and all other relevant factors over the coming weeks.
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