IEC to approach court to postpone October polls
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will be approach the courts to ask it to postpone the local government elections.
The polls are supposed to be held on October 27.
The IEC’s decision follows recommendations made by former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke that the local government elections would not be free and fair if held in October.
In his report Moseneke raised several health concerns including a possible fourth wave expected at the end of the year and the risks associated with large political gatherings while campaigning.
IEC chairperson Glen Mashinini said the commission will await its legal counsel on which court to approach.
ALSO READ: Moseneke recommends postponement of local elections to February
“We are aware of the scenarios before us. It’s either the Electoral Court or the Constitutional Court and this is the matter that our senior counsel is seized with. They should be advising us shortly in regards to that particular issue.”
The commission in response unanimously accepts the findings of the Moseneke report.
Voter registration weekends that were scheduled to take place next week will also be postponed to a later date.
“This decision is grounded on the epidemiological projections advanced in the Moseneke report as well as the current persisting high levels of Covid-19 infections and mortality in the country,” added Mashinini.
