IEC waits for president’s address
Level 3 restrictions prohibit community gatherings, and political parties' electioneering is prohibited
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it can only conduct by-elections and Local Government Elections when the country has moved to Level 1 of the Disaster Management Act.
Level 3 restrictions prohibit community gatherings, and political parties’ electioneering is prohibited.
The IEC is also not allowed to conduct voting registration drives to ensure that all campaigners are registered to participate, when elections take place.
King Cetshwayo IEC Regional Chairperson, Stella Dlamini said they were working hard in their offices to prepare for upcoming by-elections in the region.
‘While we are busy with our preparations, we are waiting for President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation on 15 February. His address will give us a clear indication about the way forward.
‘As the country is on Level 3 of the Disaster Management Act, we cannot hold any by-election.
‘According to the electoral laws, we need to complete registrations weeks before any election or by-election. ‘We are now looking to hold by-elections in the first week of March and at the end of March, but that will depend on the president’s address next month,’ she said.
Dlamini added that they were working to prepare for the Local Government Elections, expected to take place later this year. ‘We are guided by the laws; as things stand, no laws have been amended.
That means we will have Local Government Elections this year.
‘The law stipulates that there must be a local government election every five years. IEC laws make it clear that people need to cast their vote at the voting station, by ticking on the ballot paper.
‘We do not have any other option unless these laws are amended, which is something that cannot be done overnight.
‘We do not have any voting options except the casting of the vote at the voting station.
‘In our previous by-elections last year, each voting station had an extra official, who was tasked with ensuring that there was social distancing and to ensure that every participant was wearing a mask to prevent the spread of Covid-19,’ she said.
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