The Electoral Commission has postponed the voter registration weekend from 17 to 18 July to the weekend of 31 July. This decision was taken by the IEC in the light of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a special meeting held on Wednesday, 7 July, the Commission announced that a review was done on the current conditions including rate of infections and hospitalisations over the past seven days and its impact on preparations for the registration weekend.
A statement was published on Wednesday stating that the commission also considered concerns raised by political parties through the National Party Liaison Committee of proceeding with voter registration as well as warnings from health officials and other experts during last week’s oral submissions before the Moseneke Inquiry regarding the risks of proceeding with a voter registration weekend under the current conditions.
The statement further read: “Health experts told the Inquiry last week that the current third wave of infections was likely to persist until at least the end of the month.Taking into consideration the various factors including the constitutional timeframe which requires the elections to be held before 1 November 2021 and the minimum period required for the election timetable, the Commission resolved to postpone the voter registration weekend to the latest possible date which is 31 July – 1 August.”
The commission said the two-week postponement will have a knock-on effect on certain dates and activities associated with the proclamation and election including delaying proclamation by four days until 6 August. “The Commission remains confident that successful elections can be held within a reduced election timetable of 82 days rather than the original 86 days.”
In a briefing held with the National Party Liaison Committee on the decision and the revised timelines and plans, the commission was enlightened that the decision was in the interest of saving lives. “This very difficult decision in the interests of saving lives of voters, election staff, party representatives and all citizens while still preserving the Constitutional requirement to hold elections,” the commission emphasised.
“While the Commission accepts that two weeks’ delay may not be ideal to allow the third wave to begin to decline in all provinces, we have a very limited scope to move the registration weekend without postponing the elections themselves,” read the statement.
Most party representatives at the meeting welcomed the decision to postpone for two weeks although parties in favour of a postponement of the elections urged for a longer postponement.
“We are still awaiting the final report of the Moseneke Inquiry into whether the elections can be free and fair if they proceed as scheduled on 27 October. The Inquiry is being led by former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke who is scheduled to present his report and its recommendations to the Commission by 21 July 2021.
“We will continue to monitor developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the outcome of the Moseneke Inquiry and all other relevant factors over the coming weeks. Any further changes to the election plans will be made in consultation with political parties, government authorities and other key stakeholders and will be communicated with all stakeholders,” said the commission in its statement.
Political parties were looking forward to campaigning during the voter registration weekend however everything was halted. DA spokesperson on health, Rishigen Viranna said the DA notes the postponement primarily due to the third wave experienced across South Africa.
“The third wave has brought about untold illness and heartbreak to many families. It could have been avoided had the government procured and rolled out an effective vaccination campaign earlier. We call for this two week period to be used for an acceleration of Covid-19 vaccinations. For the upcoming registration weekend, campaign period and Local Government Elections we must continue to adhere to all precautions to avoid spreading infection. There is no reason that when vaccinated and adhering to precautions we cannot have a successful election,” said Viranna.
The ANC was also contacted for comments , however, none were received.
