The Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced that 43 political parties and two independent candidates will contest the Gauteng provincial election. The commission's state elections officer Thabo Masemula said preparations for next month's elections were progressing well.
He was speaking at the commission's Gauteng code of conduct signing ceremony at Kempton Park on Tuesday.
“I have to tell you that the first delivery of the ballot program is scheduled for this Friday. These ballots are a first for Metro, which is hosting this event today. Leading up to election day. Almost 90% of the logistics are in place. We are finalizing and fine-tuning some things.”
Political parties and independent candidates contesting the Gauteng Code of Conduct and Pledge Signing Ceremony | #SA election 24 I signed the pledge. #Get ready to vote pic.twitter.com/ICTLZEpxMk
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) April 23, 2024
Mr Masemula said Gauteng municipalities were exploring all possible ways to minimize the impact of load shedding during elections. He said the IEC was in talks with power utility Eskom in case load shedding took place during the election.
“The IEC has been working with Eskom to anticipate the impact of burden relief on the electoral process. A key consideration in this regard is the provision of emergency lighting to support the voting and counting process after dusk. Availability. So today we are working with all municipalities in Gauteng to review the contingency plans they have put in place to protect their elections.”
