The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has announced an urgent meeting to prepare for local government elections to be held by 1 November.
The urgent weekend meeting was called after the Constitutional Court on Friday turned down the IEC request to delay the elections.
The IEC had cited the Covid-19 pandemic as a hindrance to free, fair, and safe elections on the dates laid down by the constitution.
However, the court ruling ordering elections to be held between 27 October and 1 November, necessitated the IEC meeting.
The IEC said: “It notes the order handed down by the Constitutional Court in which it dismissed an application by the Commission to defer the upcoming general Local Government Elections scheduled for 27 October 2021.
“The implications of the Constitutional Court judgment means that the Commission is now required to ensure that it prepares for an election to be held by 1 November 2021.
“The Commission will meet over the weekend to chart a way forward. In line with the orders of the Constitutional Court, the Commission will make announcements relating to the electoral programme on Monday.”
The IEC said a meeting with the National Party Liaison Committee will also be convened on an urgent basis.
