The Electoral Commission has noted media reports that ascribe to it, an alleged proposal to postpone the Municipal Elections intended to be conducted in 2021. To the extent that these reports attribute the postponement of elections beyond the constitutionally permitted window-period, these reports are incorrect.
The Electoral Commission wishes to point out that it has indeed approached the Electoral Court for the postponement of by-elections on account of the effects of COVID-19 beyond the constitutionally allowed 90-day period. The Electoral Court granted the postponements as requested by the Electoral Commission.
As required in law, the municipal elections will be proclaimed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Honourable Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma after consultations with the Electoral Commission. In this regard, the Electoral Commission has begun consultations with the Minister. These consultations are ongoing.
It is with this understanding that media reports suggesting that the Electoral Commission has proposed the amalgamation of national, provincial and municipal elections into a single event are incorrect. Holding a single general election for all spheres of government each five years and electronic voting are among the potential considerations for Parliament. Our stakeholders including political parties, media and civil society are free to engage in the ensuing policy dialogue. These matters are not a prerogative of the Electoral Commission but require a collaborative effort and national consensus.
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free and fair elections
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