Adhere to Covid-19 regulations on election day urges KZN Health MEC
The Health Department and the IEC are working to ensure voting stations do not become Covid-19 super spreader venues.
KWAZULU-Natal’s Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane, has called on voters to exercise their right to cast their ballot during Election Day today, and to adhere to Covid-19 regulations.
The MEC cast her special vote at the weekend at Dumbe in the Zululand District.
She said her department has been in talks with the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure that Covid-19 protocols are adhered to.
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“In many areas that we’ve gone to, we’ve noted that there’s adherence. There are challenges here and there in terms of sanitizer but people are, by and large, maintaining social distancing. Where there’s no sanitizer, we are intervening and assisting as much as possible.”
Sy Mamabolo, chief electoral officer of the Electoral Commission, said the focus has been to ensure the 23 148 voting stations across the country do not become Covid-19 super spreader venues.
“The Commission has appointed a dedicated person from among the electoral staff to ensure compliance at voting stations. Electoral staff will be provided with the necessary personal protection equipment (PPE) to minimise the risk of contagion or spreading of the virus. Surfaces that are frequently touched will be sanitised and table tops will be cleaned and disinfected frequently. Voters are encouraged to bring their pens, but those without will be provided with sanitised pens,” Mamabolo said.
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