It said given heightened awareness and concerns over the pandemic, there was also a real possibility that significant numbers of voters would stay away from voting stations in upcoming by-elections, which would result in low participation levels that could undermine the freeness and fairness of elections.
Co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had earlier said she had been in contact with the IEC because the restriction measures had huge implications for that institution and its management of by-elections scheduled for this week and next month.Dlamini-Zuma said the IEC would be seeking from the court permission to extend the 90 days “so we can look at how we conduct elections”.
Parliament has cancelled two plenary sessions which were scheduled for the National Assembly this week, including the session for questions to the deputy president which was scheduled for Thursday.