IEC admits postponement of elections 'a possibility'
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic might still have the final say when it comes to this year's local government elections.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday evening that South Africans will cast their ballot on 27 October.
The announcement came amid much uncertainty over the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the country's ability to hold free and fair elections.
Several opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), have said that the pandemic, and the lack of face-time with potential voters, would render the election unfair.
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said the IEC cannot predict the trajectory of the pandemic.
"We were with the minister of health (Zweli Mkhize) this morning. He also indicated that the models that they have are not able to precisely indicate when the peak will arise. They can perhaps do so four weeks closer to the time, but at this point they can't say with certainty as to when that would be.
"So we can't predict the virus and when its going to peak or not. We can't preclude the possibility of a postponement in the context of the uncertainty."
ALSO READ: Maile appoints Deloitte to probe municipal tenders
Mamabolo said the IEC met with the leaders of political parties on Thursday.
" We can't say they were all satisfied (with the announcement of the election date). In fact, it was one of the most passionate arguments made on both sides of the debate. There was a very passionate call for the postponement of the election on one hand, and equally a very passionate call for it to proceed. Unfortunately we cannot say everyone left the meeting satisfied."
