DURBAN - Only 15 political parties represented in the National Party Liaison Committee (NPLC) were represented at the signing ceremony of the Electoral Code of Conduct by parties contesting the forthcoming elections.
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, 325 political parties will be taking part in the forthcoming local government elections on November 1.
Chairperson, Glen Mashinini, says even under the difficult circumstances brought on by Covid-19, they are ready to deliver the 2021 Local Government Elections with unwavering consistency and commitment to South Africa’s democracy.
Mashinini said the commission had delivered a consistent succession of free and fair local elections over the past three decades.
He said they were surging ahead with preparations. He said the introduction of Voter Management Devices (VMD) was “nothing short of a revolution”.
“The VMDs have increased the speed of processing of applications. Approved applications already have their addresses captured. Previously, it would have taken months to capture the address details of voters.”
“This is a major step in the management of our electoral processes.”
Mashinini reminded South Africans that applications for Special Votes would close on Monday, October 4.
“We encourage as many voters as possible, not only the infirm, to apply for Special Votes before the closing date on 4 October. This will reduce the number of people going to voting stations on election day.
“Depopulating our voting stations on election day is itself a mitigating measure against Covid-19,” Mashinini said.
Mashinini said the signing ceremony is as important as democracy itself.
Mashinini explained that the Code of Conduct provides parameters of conduct that is consistent with the vision of the democratic forebears who conceptualised a democratic society at peace with itself and all its constituent elements.
“The responsibilities of the political parties, agents and candidates also go beyond abiding by the code. Political parties must also let the public know about the code, promote the purpose of the code and support efforts to educate voters,” Mashinini said.
Daily News