1 March 2000
SALGA and the IEC agree to pool resources to deliver free and fair local government elections in November The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) have agreed to join forces to deliver South Africa's forthcoming democratic local government elections scheduled for November.
The deputy chairperson of the IEC, Professor Herbert Vilakazi, addressed a meeting of the executive committee of SALGA on Friday, 25 February 2000. At the meeting SALGA and the IEC agreed to pool resources and co-operate in the delivery of a free and fair election. Organization chairperson Collin Matjila led the SALGA delegation. The head of the IEC grouping was deputy commission chairperson Professor Herbert Vilakazi.
Mr Matjila noted the coming local government elections and the reduction of the number of municipalities as two key challenges for local government. The Demarcation Board, which is responsible for determining the new municipal boundaries, is scheduled to complete its work in May and then hand over to the IEC to begin preparations.
While an exact date has not been established, the IEC has indicated that voter registration should start in March. But voter education and mass mobilization campaigns are expected to start sooner.
The representatives for both parties said they had identified the following key areas of co-operation:
This process will seek to update the existing national voter's roll, which is estimated at 20 million. The updated register will include those who did not register for the previous elections, and those who have recently turned 18. SALGA has offered to encourage municipalities to assist the IEC with voter registration. SALGA has announced its intention to embark on a public awareness campaign this month.
The parties identified voter education as a critical component of a successful election. To this extent, SALGA in partnership with the IEC and other relevant organizations, plans to develop and distribute voter education material focusing on the significance of the local government elections and the voting process
SALGA will play a leading roll in mobilizing training resources to equip councillors for the upcoming elections whilst the IEC will facilitate the training of electoral officers and deployment of electoral staff
In line with the recommendations of the Demarcation Board, and in consultation with the IEC, provincial and other relevant authorities, SALGA will continue to supply input in the determination of the number of wards within each municipality. Both parties said the meeting was an important step in formalizing inter-governmental relations with a view to the delivery of successful 2000 local government elections. SALGA has also sought representation on the inter-ministerial co-ordinating committee.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Pretoria
For more information please contact Vusi Khoza at SALGA
012 338-6700 or 083 453 4714