The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has completed the publishing of the provisional voters’ roll for inspection after the voters’ roll closed, last week.

“This means no further voter registration may take place, either at a local office or online. Voter verification as well as other validations are currently underway to ensure that there is compliance with the provisions of the law in respect of eligibility to vote,” it said.

Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa announced May 29 as the day for South Africans to head to the ballot box for the national and provincial elections, calling on all those eligible to exercise their democratic right to vote.

The commission said that an electronic version of the voters’ roll would be made available at all offices of the IEC for inspection purposes.

The IEC reminded role-players that objections to the voters’ roll were governed by the law, highlighting that both the procedural and substantive requirements of the Electoral Act must be satisfied when lodging an objection.

The commission explained that following the determination of voters’ roll objections, the Chief Electoral Officer would certify the voters’ roll on March 12. 

Electronic copies of the certified voters’ roll would be made available to contestants and a printed copy would be prepared for use in voting stations on Election Day, the IEC said.

CANDIDATE NOMINATIONS

The IEC highlighted that this landmark election would see a third ballot, as well as the participation of independent candidates for the first time.

The Commission promotes the use of the online Candidate Nomination platform, saying it is convenient and facilitates compliance with the requirements of the law as it provides a compliance dashboard for users.

Furthermore, the online platform generates pro-forma invoices and a payment gateway for the payment of prescribed deposits.

The IEC said that all independent candidates and political parties who intended to contest the general election must submit nomination requirements by 17:00 on March 8.

The Electoral Commission will, after verifying the submitted nomination documents, issue notices of non-compliance where applicable. These notices will be issued on March 18 and those issued with such notices must rectify non-compliance by March 20.

The commission explained that in previous elections, there were candidates who were nominated by more than one political party, however, it said the law now obliges the Commission to notify affected parties and offer them an opportunity to either remove said candidate and substitute or confirm their continued candidature.

These notifications will be issued on March 22 and political parties have until March 25 to submit requests for removal, substitution or confirmation of candidature.

The provisional lists of candidates will be published for inspection on March 26 and 27.

“With all compliance matters and objections relating to candidates resolved, the Commission will publish the final lists of candidates on 10 April 2024 and certificates of candidature will be issued to certified candidates on 12 April 2024. The conclusion of the candidate nomination process will set in motion the ballot paper printing project,” the IEC said.

Meanwhile, the IEC called on those who would not be in their voting districts on May 29 to apply for a special vote to cast ballots ahead of Election Day. Home visits and voting station-based special votes would happen on May 27 and 28.

The applications for special votes will close on May 3.