IEC staff threatened ahead of elections strongly condemned by commission
On Saturday, the IEC said a group of Umkhonto weSizwe supporters gained unauthorised entry to one of its warehouse facilities in Durban and threatened police and staff.
Masego Sheburi, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC. Picture: X/@IECSouthAfrica
JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has expressed concerns over the intimidation of its officials ahead of the special voting on Monday.
On Saturday, the IEC said a group of Umkhonto weSizwe supporters gained unauthorised entry to one of its warehouse facilities in Durban and threatened police and staff.
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In another incident in Durban, the IEC said its presiding officer was woken up in the middle of the night at their home and forced to accompany a group of people to an IEC warehouse facility.
The IEC said the presiding officer was accosted by a group of unknown individuals and forced to accompany them to the Baptist Church voting station in Chesterville.
The IEC had stored bulk election material at the church, which included booths, voting station signage/banners, and new unfolded ballot boxes. This bulk electoral material was then moved to Cato Manor police station in eThekwini.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Shehuri said it was standard practice for the IEC to deliver and store bulk election material at a site closer to voting stations ahead of an election.
“This is meant to ensure that voting stations open on time, as only security material such as ballot papers will be delivered on the day of voting. The commission strongly condemns threats to its staff. No party nor its representatives have authority to gain access to private homes of electoral staff.”