Just under two months before election day, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has assured that it is ready to deliver another “free and fair” election.
In a detailed briefing submitted to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, the IEC outlined the work undertaken to deliver on its mandate.
In a bid to ensure election transparency, the commission has made provisions for the media and political party agents to access the IEC systems to view scanned result slips online. The committee noted that the commission had improved its information and technology systems in order to safeguard the election results and ensure transparency.
“The committee is satisfied that the IEC is well prepared for the elections and that South Africa is election-ready… We are confident that we will have another sterling example of free and fair elections, especially as we celebrate 20 years of our democracy,” said the committee’s stand-in chairperson, advocate André Gaum.
Earlier in March, chief electoral officer Mosotho Moepya certified the voters’ roll, setting the stage for 25 390 150 voters to cast their ballots in the national and provincial elections.
The commission has registered about 80.8 percent of the voting-age population.
The voters’ roll closed on 25 February after President Jacob Zuma proclaimed the election date by publishing it in the government gazette.
The current voters’ roll carries 2 208 153 more voters than the 2009 roll for national and provincial elections.
The increase in registered voters was an indication that the majority of South Africans take the responsibility of voting seriously, Gaum said.
Gauteng has the highest number of voters with just more than six million registered voters.
The voters’ roll also shows that South Africa is still a relatively young population with 49.57 percent of the registered voters under 40 years old.
People aged 30-39 (6.18 million) formed the largest portion of voters, followed by those aged 20-29 (5.7 million).
Meanwhile, the deadline for political parties to register at national level looms.
Parties have until 5pm on 12 March to submit a list of candidates to contest the election and a pay a refundable deposit.
The committee has called on the public to show mutual respect for each other and for the Constitution to ensure that the upcoming elections are held in a “pleasant atmosphere”.
-
-
-
-
