What was considered one of the hardest election periods for the Free State Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has now officially ended.
Despite the challenges experienced at certain voting stations, the IEC will now plan for debriefing sessions post-elections.
According to the FS IEC communication officer, Mmathabo Rasengane, the work of the IEC for election purposes is done as they don’t get involved in coalition talks and other processes post-elections.
“This was by far the most difficult election ever with the introduction of the new regional ballot, the section 24A and the VMD’s technical glitches. At the result centre we had all political parties’ representatives, the media and our staff for transparency purposes and information sharing,” she said.
Mmathabo added that as they have completed their task, the government is responsible for the process that follows, while their staff members find their way back to reality. “Unfortunately our contract staff will be leaving us at the end of June. We are saddened by this. Permanent staff members can now plan for their annual leave, while we prepare to continue with our outreach programme, stakeholder liaison, delimitation of voting stations and other projects,” she explained.
According to a statement by the Office of the Chief Justice, the IEC hands over the lists of members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures to the Chief Justice who then hands them over to the Secretary to Parliament.
“In line with this practice, Chief Justice R M M Zondo will on 6 June 2024 officially receive from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission the lists of designated members of Parliament (MPs) and members of Provincial Legislatures (MPLs),” the statement read.
According to the FS IEC, 38 political parties and 2 independent candidates contested in the regional and provincial ballot.
“For the regional ballot, the valid votes were 825 292 with 10 205 spoilt votes. The total votes casted were 835 497. The provincial ballot had a total of 837 188 votes cast with 8 271 of them being spoilt votes and 828 917 being valid votes.”
The IEC has expressed their gratitude to all stakeholders including the voters who played a role in this year’s elections.
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