IEC Postpones Voter Registration Weekend By Two Weeks

THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Wednesday announced it has postponed the voter registration weekend by two weeks in light of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic currently sweeping the country.

At a special meeting, the commission resolved to reschedule the voter registration weekend from 17-18 July to the weekend of 31 July – 1 August.

The decision was made following a review of the current conditions, including the rate of infections and hospitalisations over the past seven days and its impact on preparations for the registration weekend.

The commission also considered concerns raised by political parties through the National Party Liaison Committee of proceeding with voter registration as well as warnings from health officials and other experts during last week’s oral submissions before the Moseneke Inquiry regarding the risks of proceeding with a voter registration weekend under the current conditions.

Health experts told the inquiry last week that