By Katlego Legodi
The Independent Electoral Commission says there has been significant progress in updating the voters roll. The electoral commission says as of today, 21.5 million South Africans are on the voters roll with complete addresses.
The IEC’s credibility to conduct free and fair elections had come under scrutiny following the Constitutional Court Ruling over the verification of voters addresses.
The constitutional court has granted the organisation an extension of until November 2019 to verify addresses of voters.The electoral commission today launched the 2019 National and Provincial Elections at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says the organisation is ready for this year’s elections.The Independent Electoral commission has also announced an overwhelming increase in the number of political parties who will participate in this year’s elections.
The electoral body has received at least 47 applications from new political parties bringing the total number registered to 285.It says there has been significant progress in updating the voters roll and registering parties that will take part in the upcoming elections.
The launch of the 2019 elections was also attended by leaders of various political parties, key electoral role players, the judiciary as well as members of parliament among others.
EFF Secretary General Godrich Gardee says the party is optimistic that the IEC will deliver credible, free and fair elections. Agang’s Andries Tlouamma says the party is looking at increasing its support in this year’s elections
The new players in the political space the African Transformation Movement has already hit the ground running in gathering support.
The party’s head of policy Mzwanele Manyi says the party values the involvement of young leaders who will correct the mistakes of old organisations like the ANC.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to proclaim the actual day for the 2019 elections, with the electoral commission optimistic that this will take place before the voter registration weekend. The IEC has also launched a new logo and campaign to help attract young voters.
The electoral commission has urged the public to hid the call and register to vote on the 26 to the 27th of January.
