The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) has welcomed a Constitutional Court ruling that the Local Government Elections must proceed on time.
The F4SD had, in previous months, stated its opposition to the Electoral Commission’s court application to have the elections postponed to 2022.
The request followed a recommendation from the Moseneke Inquiry, that the date is postponed from October this year to February 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
F4SD President Mbahare Kekana says, “As the F4SD we are very happy as we were the first organisation to stand up and say we are opposing the IEC. It is very painful as the majority of the people who are not voting are the ones who are complaining a lot. So we are urging them to come and vote so they can vote for a government that can deliver the services.”
VIDEO: Political Analyst Lebohang Pheko speaks about what ruling means:
Reaction to ruling
Most political parties have welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling that elections should go ahead as planned between October 27 and November 1.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen says political parties must adapt to the new normal and must continue with the elections.
Below is the full interview with Steenhuisen:
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) says it is ready for the elections and will soon roll out its campaign in adherence with the COVID-19 protocols.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa says they have submitted their list and are now ready.
STATEMENT | Now that we have certainty around the election date, We are committed to ensuring that all our candidates have the support needed to successfully contest the election. – @MkhulekoHlengwa https://t.co/TGAza8Sw8u
— Inkatha Freedom Party (@IFPinParliament) September 3, 2021
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is expected to make an announcement on Monday about the programme for the forthcoming Local Government Elections after meeting this weekend.
Additional reporting by Ntebo Mokobo.
