IEC
Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, announces ‘all systems go’ for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections. Scheduled for Wednesday, 29 May 2024, this significant event marks the electoral process for choosing the leadership of the country’s seventh administration.
The IEC has finalised the list of contenders, comprising 70 political parties and 11 independent candidates eagerly anticipating to make their mark in the political domain. With a whopping total of 14,903 candidates vying for 887 coveted seats across National and Provincial Legislatures, the electoral battlefield is set for an intense democratic exercise. The Commission has registered a staggering 27.79 million voters, signifying a robust participation in the nation’s governance.
For South Africans living abroad, the election drums roll earlier with out-of-country voting taking place across 111 foreign missions over 17th, 18th, and 19th May 2024, allowing more than 78,000 citizens overseas to participate in shaping the nation’s future.
To ensure a smooth voting process, Mamabolo explained, “In these elections, voters will receive three ballot papers: the national compensatory ballot for political parties, provincial and regional for parties and independent candidates.” Emphasising the importance of casting votes correctly, he reminded voters of the ‘one ballot, one mark’ rule, underlining the simplicity yet significance of the act.
Ensuring extensive preparation, Mamabolo highlighted that lease agreements for 23,303 permanent voting stations have been successfully signed and concluded. With a mix of schools, places of worship, community halls, and other municipal facilities serving as voting stations, the logistical aspect of the elections seems well in hand.
A significant aspect of the preparation includes the final stages of training for 202,500 voting officials. These officials are entrusted with the critical task of administering the electoral process across the voting stations, backed by additional staff appointed to aid with the counting process, ensuring accuracy and integrity.
In anticipation of the election outcomes, the IEC is set to launch the national Results Operations Centre (ROC) on Wednesday, 22 May 2024, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. The ROC will serve as a hub for Commission members, service providers, electoral contestants, observer missions, and media organisations, symbolising a collective effort towards transparent and fair elections. A record 160 organisations, featuring both domestic and international observers, will keep a vigilant watch over the electoral proceedings, strengthening the credibility of the process.
Mamabolo further emphasised the Commission’s efforts to make voting accessible to all South Africans, including those with disabilities. Collaborating with the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB), the IEC has developed the Universal Ballot Template (UBT) to aid visually impaired voters, ensuring an inclusive electoral process.
He also reminded voters about the importance of voting at their registered stations, highlighting that special provisions have been made for exceptions, with a significant number of notifications already approved.
The Commission extends its invitation to South Africans, urging them to exercise their democratic right and partake in the elections, while calling upon citizens, media, and political parties to foster an environment of trust, integrity, and respect. With the promise of a transparent counting process and the facilitation of capturing results, the IEC reassures all stakeholders of their commitment to a fair electoral outcome.
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