- The Constitutional Court of South Africa has dismissed an application by the Electoral Commission to postpone the scheduled local elections in October to next year.
- Municipal elections are held every five years.
- The last one took place in 2016.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa has dismissed an application by the Electoral Commission to postpone the scheduled local elections in October to next year. The court ruled that elections have to take place between 27 October and 1 November 2021 as scheduled. Municipal elections are held every five years. The last one took place in 2016.
The Electoral Commission applied last month for the postponement of the elections. According to IEC, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it could not organise constitutionally compliant elections for October and was supported by the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The judgment is a major setback to ANC has yet to complete registration of thousands of councillors expected to contest the municipal elections.
In the 2016 local elections, ANC did not fare well and lost many important cities like Johannesburg to opposition parties. The upcoming local elections will be a critical test for ANC. The party has been facing severe criticism about the handling of the Pandemic and the recent massive civil unrest triggered by the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma.
The Electoral Commission to announce the electoral program on 6th September. Political Analysts are of the view that the IEC may approach Parliament and seek a postponement through amending the Constitution. The process will require a two-thirds majority.
