IEC launches October elections campaign

The Independent Electoral Commission has launched its campaign for the October polls and says it's ready.

Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says they've finalised over 23 000 voting stations across the country.

It's around 500 more stations compared to 2016.

READ: IFP reiterates desire for postponement of elections

"Municipal elections involve 4 725 unique elections consisting of the following: 4 468 ward elections, 205 proportional representation elections in local councils and eight pr elections in metro councils and 44 district council elections across the country. The end result will be the election of almost 10 500 councillors into municipal councils."

IEC Chairperson Glen Mashinini says the commission is aware the polls could become a super-spreader event.

He says the plan is to ensure the elections are free and fair and that lives are preserved.

"Based on the Constitution, the law and the operational readiness for the elections  and through assessment of the current pandemic conditions, the commission is of the view that we are technically ready to deliver the elections." 

Mashini has urged the public to actively participate in the upcoming elections, while considering the safety of others.

"Preparing for our country's municipal elections under such uncertain conditions has therefore presented the commission with one of the most difficult balancing act in our history. On one side is the tyranny of elections becoming a super-spreader event on the other side is the tyranny of the failure to adhere to the dictates of our Constitution and we dare not fall to either side."

The voter registration weekend will be 17–18 July.