IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo believes there is an underhanded, orchestrated attempt to discredit the May 29 elections even before voters make their mark.
He was speaking at the IEC's media briefing on Tuesday after day two of special voting and a day before the national elections on Wednesday.
This year's elections have been characterised as the most fiercely contested since 1994, with a record number of parties making it to the national ballot, while independent candidates are contesting at the provincial and national level for the first time.
Mamabolo said several incidents that have played out in the past couple of days which have sought to call into the question the credibility of the electoral processes appear to have been well planned.
The electoral process kicked off on May 17 and 18 when South Africans living abroad cast their ballots, followed by special votes on Monday and Tuesday.
“There is a clear orchestration to undermine the credibility of the outcome of these elections.
“The incidents that took place over the weekend are not an accident. It is a clear orchestrated endeavour to later say this election could not have been free and fair, even before they happen.”
Mamabolo was referring to videos making rounds on social media at the weekend on purported tampering with election material, with claims of security breaches.
“Authorised vehicles of the commission carrying important merchandise are being followed into their storage sites. People gain unlawful entry into the storage site. Second, bulk material of the commission which has been delivered at a voting station is being interfered with after unlawful access is gained.
“Not only this, but the video-taking of these incidents and placing thereof on social media and in the public domain, is what I am talking about.”
He also criticised the generalising of isolated incidents, saying it was not an honest reflection on the IEC's preparations.
“Another challenge the IEC is faced with is taking aberrations and aggregating them for the whole.
“You take an incident in one locality and generalise it for the whole, losing perspective on the fact that an election involves a programme of providing a service at 23,000 different points.”
Mamabolo said the IEC had a vast team of electoral staff and stations across the country, and the magnitude was bound to allow for mistakes to happen.
“When you deal with 23,000 points involving over 260,000 officials, human beings of different attitudes, training and cultural backgrounds — something is bound to go wrong. When that happens, you've got to take a step back and say, in relation to the whole, how material is that occurrence?
“The biggest challenge the commission confronts at the moment is aberrations taken to be true for the totality as a whole.”
He said his team vowed to safeguard and ensure the credibility of the polls.
“As a commission, we want to be resolute to protect the integrity of these elections because the South African people have invested in their democracy, and they have entrusted the responsibility on our shoulders.
“We've got to act in a manner that does not let the ball drop.”
Mamabolo reported that 937,144 votes had been cast over the two-day special voting period, a significant increase from the 2019 elections.
“The lessons and experiences over the two days of special votes were valuable and will be used to further refine operations to positively impact on the voter experience for May 29. The commission urges the remaining 26-million eligible voters to go out and cast their votes tomorrow.”
Mamabolo said he encouraged vigilance from political party agents but warned it should not in any way infringe on the rights of others and on electoral processes.
“We encourage that vigilance must be exercised within the confines of the law. Interference with the unfolding electoral programme, logistics handling or intimidation of electoral staff cannot be justified as vigilance. We further welcome all interventions made by our law enforcement agencies.”
He reported that two arrests have been made, with at least two cases being investigated by the police for alleged interference with electoral processes.
Voting stations will open at 7am and close at 9pm on Wednesday.
Registered voters are reminded to bring their ID cards, green ID books or a temporary identification certificate to their registered voting stations to cast their vote.
“It is time now for all of us to work together to ensure that these elections are free, fair, safe, and that the outcome reflects the will of the South African electorate. The commission applauds political parties and independent candidates for a relatively peaceful campaign. The spirit of tolerance and forbearance must be taken to election day tomorrow.”
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