President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) well ahead of the National and Provincial Elections to be held this week. Special votes are to be administered on Monday, 27 and Tuesday, 28 May, with the general elections to be held on Wednesday, 29 May.
Addressing the nation in a televised broadcast on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa applauded the commission for its work in the run-up to the elections.
“As a country, we have once again witnessed the capabilities of the IEC in the successful voter registration weekends, in the registration of parties and candidates, in the preparation of ballot papers, in the organisation of overseas voting, and in the diligent application of our electoral laws.”
Ramaphosa expressed his gratitude to the IEC, saying, “We convey our thanks and best wishes to the IEC commissioners, to the IEC staff, and to the thousands of election workers as they deliver on this most important responsibility in the coming days.”
The president highlighted the integrity of South Africa’s elections since the dawn of democracy in 1994, made possible by the work and conduct of the IEC, as well as the presence of party agents and independent observers. He noted that the involvement of party agents gives people confidence that there is effective oversight of all aspects of the electoral process.
Ramaphosa also thanked local and international observers, saying, “Through their presence, we can satisfy ourselves that our elections conform not only to our laws but also to internationally accepted standards of freeness and fairness.”
He emphasized that party agents and election observers must be allowed to do their work without any hindrance.
