IEC seeks to postpone by-elections
The commission said it is seeking the court’s approval to postpone by-elections scheduled for 20 January, 3 February and 17 February.
THE Electoral Commission has again approached the Electoral Court to postpone a series of scheduled by-elections following the implementation of Covid-19 level 3 lockdown restrictions.
In a statement, the commission said this was because the lockdown regulations include prohibitions on political activities.
The commission said it is seeking the court’s approval to postpone by-elections scheduled for 20 January, 3 February and 17 February on the basis that the latest regulations curtail political activities imperilling the fairness of the elections.
One of those by-elections in February was due to take place in Ward 110, after Pete Graham stepped down as ward councillor in 2020.
Related story: Pete Graham steps down as Ward 110 councillor
The Electoral Commission noted that even though many of the preparations for the by-elections have been concluded, and protocols are in place for the safe conducting of elections as piloted in November and December, the regulations prohibiting political activities will seriously hamper campaigning by candidates and political parties.
The IEC did however announce that by-elections scheduled for 3 March currently remain on track.
The Electoral Commission says it will continue to monitor developments closely with regards to the restrictions and regulations with a view to proceed or approach the court for a postponement of the 3 March by-elections as well as the rescheduling of any postponed by-elections as soon as possible.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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