President Jacob Zuma has asked that Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng begin the process of filling former IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula's position following her resignation, the presidency said on Wednesday.

In terms of the Electoral Commission Act, a panel consisting of the chief justice as chairman, the public protector, a representative from the Commission on Gender Equality, and SA Human Rights Commission, had to recommend candidates to the National Assembly, spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

Zuma thanked Tlakula for her years of diligent service to South Africa and for ensuring successful and efficient elections during her tenure as chief electoral officer and Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) chairperson.

"Her leadership and direction has not only enabled our citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote diligently, but also successfully ensured free, fair, transparent and credible elections in our country," Zuma said in a statement.

Last Tuesday Tlakula said she had submitted her letter of resignation to Zuma.

Before the May 7 elections several political parties took her to court, claiming her integrity had been compromised. This followed an investigation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela into the procurement of the IEC's Riverside Office Park building in Centurion, Pretoria.

Madonsela found Tlakula had a relationship, possibly of a romantic nature, with then chairperson of Parliament's finance portfolio committee Thaba Mufamadi.

Mufamadi was a shareholder in Abland, which was awarded the R320-million contract to lease the building.