The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it is all systems go for the 8 May elections.
Chief Executive Officer Sy Mamabolo says they are in the process of safely transporting all the ballot papers by South Africans who voted abroad. He says the special votes that will take place from the 6 May are a trial of the state of readiness for the IEC.
Mamabolo told political party representatives, mission observers and the media during the official launch of the National Results Operation Centre in Pretoria on Tuesday that the IEC is more than ready to conduct free elections.
“We have made arrangements for the records for 22 924 voting stations to open next week. We have recruited and trained over 139 000 volunteers, who will conduct the voting and counting process, in conjunction with the South African police including the South African Police Service.”
@IECSouthAfrica CEO Sy Mamabolo says it’s all systems go for the May 8 elections. This afternoon, a National Results Operation Centre has just been launched in PTA. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/glFI2jd7C3
— Abongile Dumako (@AbongileDumako) April 30, 2019
Mamabolo says the future lies in the voter’s hands. “Reaching this point of readiness for a national election is never easy and preparing for this interestingly tests the electoral commission. ”
In seven days time, more than 27 million South Africans will have an opportunity to cast a vote for a government of their own choice.
After a long wait and hard work, political parties breathed a sigh of relief. This as the IEC revealed the 48 party ballot papers, confirming every party’s presence.
The Electoral Commission has assured South Africans that they and only they will make the official announcement of the results.
Chairperson Glen Mashinini @ #ROClaunch of #SAElections2019: Only the Electoral Commission can proclaim and announce the results of the elections and we appeal to all stakeholders to respect this… We hope to announce the final results here on Saturday 11 May. pic.twitter.com/a5aVn1Fg8h
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) April 30, 2019
The body thanked all its stakeholders for ensuring a free and fair election build up this time around.
Full statement on official opening of the National Results Operation Centre for #SAElections2019 at https://t.co/LVXWvHshQl.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) April 30, 2019
Election Results Centre
Commonly known as the “ROC”, the centre brings together all key stakeholders in the elections under one roof to oversee the collation and finalisation of the election results and has been a feature of South Africa’s elections for the past 20 years. This is the 9th activation of the ROC.
The national centre is complemented by nine provincial Results Operation Centres from where the provincial election results will be monitored.
Over 700 journalists have applied for accreditation for the national ROC with a further 700 accredited for the provincial ROCs.
The national centre will also house the SABC radio and television news operations for elections along with ENCA and newcomer Newzroom Africa.
