International observers for elections
Neo Semono
20 April 2009
South Africans going to the polls on Wednesday can take comfort from the fact that more than 300 international observers will be overseeing the electoral process to ensure that it is free and fair.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the recommendations made by the 333 international observers will also be taken into consideration.
"We want to assure that any recommendations you make to us for improving the way we do things will be taken into consideration," IEC chairperson Brigalia Bam told a delegation of international observers in Pretoria last week.
16 observer teams
Sixteen observer teams, including representatives from the Commonwealth, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, will be observing the elections.
Bam urged the observers to share their remedies for dealing with political interference during the elections.
"In some areas there is a lot of political intolerance, you can share the methods used in your own country to mediate," Bam said, adding that more police officers would be deployed to "hotspots" in the country.
An African Union observer from Tanzania, Omar Mussa, told BuaNews that there should be no reason why South Africa cannot conduct free and fair elections. He arrived in South Africa last week, and will be based in Bloemfontein until 25 April.
"I believe that South Africa is a bit more advanced," said Mussa, who has been an observer for four years. "There should be no reason why the elections should not be free and fair."
Home Affairs hours
Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs said it would be opened for extended hours on Election Day to allow people to collect their identity documents for the purpose of voting.
"Home Affairs offices across the country will be open from 7am to 9pm on Wednesday," the department said.
Source: BuaNews
