Local government elections - state of readiness
With 15 days to go to the polls for the fourth democratic local government elections on 3 August 2016, and only 13 days before the casting of special votes for home visitation and at voting stations, government plans are in place to deliver free and fair elections.
This is the sentiment shared by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Elections that met today in Pretoria in the Department of the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). The purpose of the meeting was to take final stock on preparations for the upcoming local government elections.
Today’s IMC, led by Minister van Rooyen included Ministers Muthambi, Gigaba and the two COGTA Deputy Ministers, MECs, senior government officials from all departments that form part of the IMC - nationally and provincially, Stats SA, Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), South African Police Service (SAPS), Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Municipal Demarcation Board and other key stakeholders.
The IMC meeting, chaired by the Deputy Minister responsible for Cooperative Governance, Honourable Andries Nel, evaluated all information on the state of readiness in as far as local government elections are concerned. It also reviewed the issue of the assignment of addresses in accordance with the Constitutional Court ruling on this matter.
The IMC discussion also brought into sharp focus the readiness of the Independent Electoral Commission’s, issues of security during elections and an overview of the local government transition after the elections.
Although the number of municipalities in the 2016 Local Government Elections has declined from 278 in 2011 to 257 in 2016, there is growth of 54% in the number of voting districts and 44,6% growth in the voters’ roll. There are a record 200 parties with 61 014 candidates contesting these elections.
To ensure a safe environment, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has been convened and its sub-committee on elections is co-ordinating safety and security planning for the elections. A series of outreach activities starting from this week to various municipalities across the country are planned to ensure a safe election.
The IMC is tasked with overseeing the smooth running of the elections and ensuring that voters are able to cast their votes in an environment that is both free and fair.
Enquiries:
Legadima Leso (COGTA Head of Communications)
Cell: 083 378 9495
