This, after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) earlier this week announced that it has approached the court to postpone by-elections following the implementation of level 3 lockdown restrictions. By-elections across ten municipalities in six provinces were scheduled to take place on 20 January, 3 and 17 February. The commission says level 3 regulations have re-introduced restrictions on political activities and that their court application seeks to extend the 90-day period within which by-elections of councillor vacancies must take place.

OFM News has previously reported that voter registration for the by-election on 3 February ran without many hiccups in December 2020 with the IEC’s Mmathabo Rasengane having confirmed over 4 000 registered voters were expected to cast their votes in Maluti-A-Phofung’s ward 25. The ward became vacant as a result of its councillor’s death.  

Following the address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, the commission reiterated that “the Electoral Commission noted that even though many of the preparations for the by-elections have been concluded, and protocols are in place for the safe conducting of elections as piloted in November and December, the regulations prohibiting political activities will seriously hamper campaigning by candidates and political parties”.

OFM News