The Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) has again asked the courts to postpone by-elections after restrictions on political activities were reintroduced as a result of a second wave of Covid-19 that is raging through SA.
The latest request to the electoral court by the IEC to postpone the by-elections comes less than a year before SA has to have its next local government elections between August and November 2021.
SA has been in a state of disaster and various phases of lockdown since March 2020, which resulted in extreme restrictions on the movement of people.
For months gatherings were prohibited, which affects the holding of political activities required to ensure that elections are free and fair.
The first round of by-elections since March 2020 took place only in November, with a second round held in December.
While by-elections had been scheduled to take place in January and February, new restrictions on gatherings and political activities have been reintroduced to curb the spread of Covid-19.
In a statement on Monday, the IEC said it was seeking the court's approval to postpone by-elections scheduled for January 20, February 3 and February 17 on the basis that the latest regulations curtail political activities, which imperils “the freeness and fairness of the elections”.
“The IEC noted that even though many of the preparations for the by-elections have been concluded, and protocols are in place for the safe conducting of elections as piloted in November and December, the regulations prohibiting political activities will seriously hamper campaigning by candidates and political parties,” the IEC said.
The commission said the decision to ask for 90-day extensions came after consultations with political parties in which they all expressed support for the postponements.
By-elections scheduled for March are, however, set to continue, the commission said. It said it would continue to monitor developments closely with regard to the restrictions and regulations, with a view to allowing the March by-elections to continue. Or it would approach the court again for another postponement as well as rescheduling any postponed by-elections.
Update: January 11 2021
This article has been updated with new information.
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