IEC ready for casting of the first ballot on Friday

 The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it’s all systems go ahead of the much-anticipated general polls.

 South Africans living abroad will cast the first ballot on Friday.

IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, has assured the public that voting will go smoothly in the 111 foreign missions around the world.

 The commission says all missions have already received the election materials, which include ballot papers, voting booths, ballot boxes, envelopes, and a voter list.

Mamabolo has also revealed that 160 organisations with 5 000 observers domestically and abroad will observe the 2024 elections.

 These include the African Union, the Carter Centre Democracy Programme, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

 He has reiterated that the IEC has not accredited Zanu-PF to observe the polls.

 This follows reports that the ANC sought assistance from Zimbabwe’s ruling party with its election campaign and will become part of the observer mission.

 Several political parties, including the DA and ATM, wrote to the commission seeking clarity on Zanu-PF’s status.

 ATM leader, Vuyolwethu Zungula, asserted that granting Zanu-PF observer status risks tarnishing the legitimacy and credibility of the country’s electoral process.

 “Zimbabwe has a well-documented history of electoral malpractice and voter fraud in recent years, which seriously undermines the credibility of any electoral process they are involved in,” said Zungula.

 While ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, did not concede that they did approach Emmerson Mnangagwa’s party, he said inviting sister liberation movements across the African continent to observe elections is a norm and does not constitute interference with the polls.

 

The African National Congress has a longstanding tradition of inviting our sister liberation movements from across the African continent to all of our major events including our conferences and rallies. They extend the same courtesies to the ANC. pic.twitter.com/RSih48FJBm

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) May 10, 2024

 

The IEC used today’s media briefing to remind citizens that in these elections, voters will receive three ballot papers.

 1. The national compensatory ballot for political parties.

2. Provincial and Regional for parties and independent candidates.

 “We wish to remind voters to make only one mark against a party or candidate of choice.”