JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission of South Africa says preparations for the upcoming municipal elections are on track, with voting day now less than a month away.
The Commission says it is working through the final stages of more than 300 projects required to ensure the elections run smoothly.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi says the review of voting districts has been completed, voting stations have been confirmed, and lease agreements with landlords are being finalised.
The IEC has also recruited officials to work at the country’s 23,700 voting stations, with training currently under way.
Sheburi says presiding officers and deputy presiding officers will be required to achieve a minimum assessment score of 80 percent.
The Commission also plans to share the details of proposed voting station managers with political contestants, giving them an opportunity to raise concerns about their political impartiality.
But as preparations continue, the IEC is also dealing with several court battles.
Sheburi says it is regrettable that legal challenges are continuing so close to election day.
He says most of the cases stem from disputes within political parties over who should be recognised as legitimate contestants in the elections.
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The IEC is currently before the Constitutional Court in a matter involving the ANC, while Operation Dudula has also lodged an application with the apex court.
At least three other matters are before the Electoral Court and are expected to be heard during the course of the week.
The Commission is awaiting further directions from the Constitutional Court on the Operation Dudula application, while the ANC matter has been set down for hearing in October.