The Electoral Commission (IEC) will today virtually launch the 2021 Local Government Elections (LGE).
The IEC will also unveil its campaign to raise awareness among the voters and stakeholders about the upcoming polls. This comes way ahead of Justice Dikgang Moseneke’s deadline to release the results of his investigation on whether or not, South Africa is ready to host the elections on October 27, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The former Deputy Chief Justice is scheduled to announce his findings next month, following consultations with political parties and other stakeholders within the electoral sector.
Just yesterday, the IFP criticised the IEC for the election launch, expressing concern over the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
IFP criticises IEC for launching the elections ahead of the release of Moseneke’s report:
It’s not yet clear whether or not the IEC will accept the possibility that the elections can’t take place.
However, the proclamation of the LGE by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) will only be published in July, after the report by Justice Dikgang Moseneke.
