The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it is comfortably ahead of schedule with technical preparations for the upcoming local government elections.
The commission has been allocated just over R3.1 billion for the 2026/27 financial year but expects to spend about R4.7 billion, leaving a projected shortfall of R1.6 billion. This gap is expected to be partly covered by a R1.1 billion rollover from the previous financial year, pending approval from National Treasury.
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said the commission is making steady progress in ensuring credible and efficient elections.
“We are about 80% complete with a platform upgrade. That upgrade entails the acquisition of new hardware. The success of an election has to be measured in terms of the number of citizens,” Mamabolo said.
He added that the IEC remains committed to delivering free and fair elections.
Two voter registration weekends are scheduled for June and August, after which the IEC expects the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, to announce the official election date.
VOC News
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