Good move or a waste of time? SA weighs in on IEC's plans for local government elections
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Image: THULANI MBELE
The Electoral Commission's (IEC) progress with preparations for this year's local government elections has met with wide-ranging reactions online.
On Wednesday, the commission detailed its plan after the proclamation of the elections by the minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
The proclamation follows legally-sanctioned consultation processes between Dlamini-Zuma and the commission.
The IEC said the proclamation triggers the requirement for the commission to publish an election timetable.
The election timetable spans 85 days and lays down the key dates and deadlines for various electoral milestones until Oct. 27.
TheIEC also made a legal bid to postpone the vote to February next year.
“The first legal consequence of the proclamation is to close the voters’ roll for the purposes of the election,” said the IEC.
“This means no new voters may be admitted to the voters’ roll for the proclaimed election date. This is inclusive of all forms of registration that is both physical as well as electronic registrations.”
The current voters’ roll stands at 25.7-million registered voters.
The IEC said the proclamation of the election date opened the candidate nomination process and this window period will conclude on Aug. 23.
During her briefing this week, Dlamini-Zuma said by law, the local government elections were still set for Oct. 27 until a court ordered otherwise.
“The minister is not empowered to postpone the elections to a date beyond 90 days after the expiry of the term of the municipal councils, as prescribed by section 159(2) of the constitution,” she said.
“What we say without any doubt is that the minister is bound to fulfil her constitutional and statutory obligations to timeously proclaim the election date for the elections.
“There is currently no court order that would excuse the minister from fulfilling her constitutional and statutory obligations. If the minister is forced to proclaim the election date before judgment by the Constitutional Court, she may explain that she has been advised to do so to fulfil her constitutional and statutory obligations.”
Dlamini-Zuma said in gazetting the date for the elections, the government was in no way seeking to contradict the Moseneke Inquiry's conclusion or the IEC’s contemplated actions.
On social media, many expressed different opinions on the IEC's progress on the preparations.
I quite honestly do not see this being successful. Say the CC agrees. A Constitutional amendment would still be required. Parliament amends the Constitution. Said amendment would need 75% MPs to be in support to pass. The ANC does not agree with a postponement. A barren harvest. https://t.co/gFyDG8ddBS
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) August 4, 2021
These are two great Advocates.
— Mzwanele Manyi (@MzwaneleManyi) August 5, 2021
But only the recommendations of Adv Mkhwebane, the Public Protector are binding.
We note the Recommendations of Justice Moseneke with great respect, but it's unconstitutional to hold LGE elections beyond 90 days after expiration of term of office. pic.twitter.com/c6bDBTXBVR
So..the voter's roll ahs been locked. Fine. We cannot register any members on the IEC or at the IEC until the voter's roll reopens. Mmm. No-one can vote if you are not registered. WHAT? But it is free and fair elections? Just asking.🤡
— SPECTRUM National Party Deputy Secretary General (@queentinabella) August 4, 2021
I always have many questions.
— Nqobile Mkhize (@Nqob_impilo) August 4, 2021
But I'll just ask 1... Can the IEC confidently say it gave everyone who is eligible to vote a fair chance to register to do so?
This question is based on the assumption that all else fails and elections are held on 27 October. https://t.co/sIfxfjveXK
IEC must have double voting system electronic and paper based . learn from SARS and introduce system that those who have access can vote electronically and those that cannot will be provided manually opportunity . We need change and service delivery. #Outvote_Ourrights
— Wear a Mask (@elemua_sheik) August 4, 2021
Not saying they are blameless, but once the Minister publishes the notice the IEC has no discretion to keep the voters' roll open:https://t.co/7JwQT0d7SI pic.twitter.com/VR3wItjlHN
— Johan Lorenzen (@JohanLorenzen) August 4, 2021
This postponement of Local Government Elections and approaching the courts while there is a date in the Gazette places the IEC in a difficult position. They now have to rollout elections preparedness activities, publish voters' roll& accept nominations from parties.
— Lukhona Mnguni (@LukhonaMnguni) August 3, 2021
If the Local Government Elections are to be postponed, then a Feb election date is impractical for parties and voters - predictions of a 4th wave in Nov/Dec into Jan will cause the inability of parties to campaign and reach voters.
— ACDP South Africa (@A_C_D_P) August 5, 2021
- Kenneth Meshoe .MPhttps://t.co/Uuiu0IJ2OY
DCJ Moseneke's recommendation to the IEC to seek a postponement 'to Feb at the latest', is precisely that - a recommendation, not an instruction.
— ACDP South Africa (@A_C_D_P) August 5, 2021
The ACDP and many other parties informed the IEC that a Feb election date is impractical for free and fair campaigning in Dec & Jan.
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