The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Local Government Elections reports that preparations for the 4 November elections are progressing as planned and remain on schedule.
The Committee met with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, to consider reports and plans being implemented ahead of election day.
Despite the progress recorded, the Committee called on key stakeholders to intensify coordination and collaboration in addressing outstanding matters.
These include building community trust, mobilising public education, increasing voter engagement and encouraging registered voters to turn out at the polls.
Among the reports considered by the IMC was one on the effects of El Niño on election operations.
The IMC urged stakeholders to ensure the seamless communication of anticipated weather conditions and to make arrangements for rainfall, extreme heat and veld fires, which could potentially affect voters queuing at polling stations.
The IMC indicated that disaster management teams will be on standby to mitigate any impact and that additional monitoring will be conducted ahead of election day.
Furthermore, the Committee expressed confidence that the Independent Electoral Commission will finalise the eight outstanding legal matters it is dealing with ahead of the election date.
