The IFP welcomes the news that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has taken the decision to postpone the upcoming voter registration weekend by two weeks, to 31 July to 1 August.
Considering the sweeping effects of the Third Wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, we believe that this is the most reasonable course of action. It would be most unfortunate if ordinary South Africans wishing to guarantee their constitutional right to vote inadvertently caused super-spreader events, placing their lives at greater risk.
However, with – on average – almost 20 000 South Africans being infected daily over the past seven days, we would like to reiterate our call for the IEC to consider postponing the Local Government Elections until May 2022. Given that the Third Wave is far from over, and that the Fourth Wave is expected in November 2021, this would hopefully give South Africa’s population the time it needs to reach herd immunity.
As has been widely reported, the vaccination programme has been plagued with issues, and slow out of the starting blocks.
We encourage all South Africans to register to vote, but to do so in a responsible manner, while adhering to all the Covid-19 regulations.
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Contact:
Hon. Narend Singh, MP
IFP Chief Whip in Parliament
083 788 5954
