The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, says preparations for the upcoming elections on May 7 are on track.
Speaking to SABC Digital News on Wednesday, Mamabolo says: “We are confident that we are doing everything that needs to happen to ensure that South Africans are able to make their informed political choice.”
Mamabolo also says it is important for the IEC to maintain a positive working relationship with the media. “The relationship with media houses, including the public broadcaster, has been phenomenal and we hope that we will keep that relationship going to inform the electorate.”
The Results Operations Centre (ROC) is important for the elections. Mamabolo says it is hub where the IEC coordinates the electoral process. ROC is aimed at creating facilities for the media, political parties, IEC officials, Chapter 9 institutions and other stakeholders.
As the election results come in, the media and politicians will be able to see the results on two big screens with numbers changing. Analysts will also get a chance to comment on the results on the analyst’s desk.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will be one of the media houses that will be in the ROC, informing the public about all the latest developments on the elections results. TV and radio stations are expected to broadcast live from the venue. SABC Digital News team will also bring you updated coverage of the elections on the election website, SABC news website as well as social media platforms.
The IEC is expected to launch its ROC, ahead of the elections, on the 30th of April.
Meanwhile, the IEC is currently facing threats from unions to boycott the polls should its current head, Pansy Tlakula, refuse to resign. Tlakula has been fingered in an independent forensic audit as well as Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report into the leasing of the IEC’s R320 million head office in Centurion, Pretoria.
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and AgangSA leader Mamphela Ramphela have also called for her resignation.The African National Congress has defended Tlakula’, saying her issues did not impact the credibility of the elections.
Click below to listen to Independent Electoral Commission Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo.
– By Sthembiso Sithole
