The countdown has begun: we are four days before the local government elections
It is exactly four days before the 2016 Local Government Elections take place on the 3rd of August. We encourage all eligible voters, particularly the youth to come out on Wednesday and vote, and welcome voters in Vuwani who have committed to express their voice peacefully through the ballot.
While the country is making progress in ensuring that these elections are conducted in a peaceful environment, government has noted that there are still a few disgruntled elements focused on disrupting elections in our communities. Communities are encouraged to report any incidents of intimidation to the nearest police station.
The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster has put measures in place to ensure the safety of voters during the elections. Police will be on duty at voting stations across the country. Officers will also undertake duties such as escorting IEC officials, undertaking patrols, securing ballot papers and protecting electoral staff.
Government further commends the IEC and the country’s law enforcement officers for the swift and efficient manner in which they handled the recent incident where boxes containing ballot papers were stolen from a delivery vehicle in Soweto. As government we have full confidence in the IEC and we have no doubt that it will conduct free and fair elections.
Government will not tolerate any action aimed at disrupting the election and will ensure that those who aim to disrupt these elections face the full might of the law. We also call on all political parties to abide by the IEC code of conduct and to raise any breaches swiftly with the IEC.
Let us work together to ensure a successful election where the voices of all 26 million voters can be counted.
Enquiries:
Donald Liphoko (Acting Cabinet Spokesperson)
Cell: 082 901 0766
