Private companies have been told to refrain from compelling their employees to come to work tomorrow instead of going to cast their ballot.

Government has declared 14 April a public holiday in accordance with Section 2A of the Public Holiday Act "specifically to allow South Africans to exercise their right to vote."

The warning follows complaints to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) that certain private sector companies are enticing their employees with double pay in exchange for work.

Though it is not an open intimidation, employers cannot coerce or unjustly pressurise their workers to sacrifice their votes by coming to work.

Michael Hendrickse of the IEC legal services said employers could not deny someone the right to exercise this right.

Last week, trade union federation Cosatu expressed outrage at reports that some retail and farm workers were being threatened with disciplinary action should they not come to work on the voting day.

"This is outrageous. April 14 is a public holiday," said Cosatu General-Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

Mr Vavi said people died fighting for their right to vote and for this reason, no employer should deny workers their constitutional right.

However, Mr Hendrickse urged employers to provide on duty workers with "sufficient time" to cast their votes.

"In the event that people are working, companies must ensure that there is sufficient time... or that employees work shifts in such a manner that they can actually go and cast their votes," affirmed Mr Hendrikse.

Speaking to reporters in Pretoria today, Chief Electoral Officer Pansy Tlakula reassured the nation that the electoral body was ready to deliver the polls, adding that they hoped to better the 89.3 percent voter turnout recorded in the last polls five years ago.

"We are ready to deliver a smooth election," said Advocate Tlakula.

There are at least 204 observer missions from abroad mostly from Africa and 3 000 local observers who will monitor the elections - BuaNews.