Cape Town — The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has welcomed foreign observers to oversee the general elections set to take place on 29 May.
The IEC is ready to administer the country’s 7th democratic election, with Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Masego Sheburi, said having observer missions was in the interest of free and fair elections, EWN reported.
“Observer missions are constituted by multilateral entities, for example, SADC [Southern African Development Community], AU [African Union], or independent NGOs that are not part of a state machinery. Hitherto, we have never had to deal with a sovereign observing elections in another sovereign, so we welcome observers.” Sheburi said.
Election specialist, Grant Masterson, said voters will notice changes during the elections and assured South Africans that the IEC is working tirelessly to be ready for the 29 May vote.
“This is definitlely a different election. Whenever there are changes, particularly when you add a different ballot paper with differrnt instricitons. We’ve been spoilt since 1994 because we’ve had a similar electoral system, with some very minor changes. Voters are definitely going to notice the changes this time. We’ve gone from 2 voting papers to 3, we’re adding independent candidates, the way we’ve calculated things will become clearer to voters, so there’s definitely changes here.” he said.
“The IEC is working around the clock and, for their sake, I hope they will deliver these elections on time.” he concluded
Election specialist Grant Masterson says SA voters will notice the changes IEC made during and post the May 29 elections. “The IEC is working around the clock and, for their sake, I hope they will deliver these elections on time.”
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
