The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will pay particular attention to its credibility and independence in the 2009 elections following developments in the recent Kenyan and Zimbabwean polls, the IEC said on Wednesday.
”One of the key strategies is to consolidate the credibility and independence of the institution,” said Gauteng provincial electoral officer Sy Mamabolo.
”This comes as recent events of our neighbours, Kenya, and certainly Zimbabwe, point to … [the fact that] if you don’t secure the independence of the commission, you may be facing problems,” said Mamabolo.
He was addressing a gathering of South African Council of Churches clerics and political representatives in Johannesburg on the commission’s plans for the next election.
IEC deputy chairperson Thoko Mpumlwana said the IEC did not want the world to watch South Africa’s election and think ”there they go again”.
”We want to ensure and retain the credibility we have,” said Mpumlwana.
Measures so far include inviting political parties to agree on voting officials as concerns had been raised during consultations of fears of political involvement.
The IEC wanted to increase voter participation in the next election to more than 70% and was particularly concerned about a sharp decline in young voters.
”Our democracy is too young to elect our leaders with a poor turnout. We would not want our leaders to be elected with a margin of 30%; it reduces our democracy.”
The first voter registration drive would be held on November 8 and 9 and the second on February 7 an 8 2009.
The voters roll will close on March 4 2009. — Sapa