IEC concerned about load shedding ahead of elections
The Independent Electoral Commission says it is concerned about the possible impact of the energy crisis on next year's elections.
South Africans, who are twelve months out from elections, are grappling with relentless blackouts.
Eskom has had to resort to stage 6 load shedding due to low power generation capacity.
Briefing the media in Centurion on Tuesday, the commission's Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said they hope the voter registration campaigns in November will not be impacted by the power cuts.
"The energy crisis is concerning to all South African and as it does to the EIC, and we hope that by the time we go to the voter registration in November and into the lead up to the elections next year the situation would be greatly ameliorated.
"So that we can lessen the burden on our fiscal allocations in terms of providing alternative sources of energy at the voting stations. It is certainly a matter of deep concern to the commission."
Mamabolo said preparations for the elections are already in full swing.
"Most of our logistical requirements for the registration weekend are in order, Service provider have been appointed and production is underway. We do except to receive registration material in June and July.
"The voter management devices we are updating the software, close to 30 000 of those units have already been processed."
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