Mixed reaction to election postponement

FOLLOWING the announcement by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) that it would approach the courts to request a postponement of the October 27 local government elections, two political analysts shared their opposing views.

The IEC on Friday said they would adopt the recommendation of retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke that it would not be safe to hold the local government elections in October in the wake of the increasing number of Covid-19 infections and deaths.

Spokesperson Kate Bapela, however, said she could not confirm when the electoral commission would approach the courts.

“At the moment, we are unable to provide a firm date. The IEC has made an undertaking to provide feedback on a regular basis to South Africans,” she said.

University of KwaZulu-Natal political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu welcomed the announcement and believed the decision was understandable, because political parties would not have enough time to campaign. He was, however, concerned that the postponement would result in councillors serving longer terms, which could result in more “looting”.

“If the elections were held in October, it would not give political parties enough time to campaign, especially now that we are in the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a welcomed decision,” said Ndlovu.

He said smaller political parties would be able to use this time to get their message across and connect with voters. He was of the opinion that the postponement would definitely have a bearing on what was in the Constitution in terms of when these elections were supposed to be held.

“You have people who have been councillors for the past five years and now they are given extra time. Now in the case of those who have been looting funds, they are being given time to loot even more.”

Meanwhile, analyst Protas Madlala was opposed to the postponement. He said the elections could be organised in such a way that Covid-19 regulations were in place.

Regarding the Constitution, Madlala said an amendment could be made: “The Constitution is man-made, so it can be changed by a majority vote.”

Madlala was of the view that the elections should go ahead. He said one could not foresee which Covid19 wave the country would be in the coming months.

“By the time we hold the election next year, we might be in the 20th wave. No one knows the end of this pandemic, and I think we could’ve done it (elections). There are fears of a super-spreader event, but people are already crowded in informal settlements, so it’s a non-issue for me. It can be organised in such a way that Covid-19 regulations are in place.”

Madlala said that political parties in favour of the postponement were not ready for the elections.

“They are hiding their unpreparedness behind the pandemic.”