President Zuma appoints new IEC Chairperson

14 October 2015

President Jacob Zuma has in terms of section 8 (1) of the Electoral Commission Act, 1996 (Act 51 of 1996) designated Mr Vuma Glenton Mashinini as the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa.

The Electoral Commission Act gives power to the President to designate the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission from amongst the commissioners of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Mr Mashinini served as Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC from 1998 to 2001 where he was responsible for the establishment and administration of the national head office, all nine Provincial Electoral Offices and approximately 350 Municipal Electoral Offices.

President Zuma appointed Mr Mashinini as a Commissioner of the IEC in April this year. He has previously also served as special projects advisor to the President.

The IEC has not had a Chairperson since the resignation by Advocate Pansy Tlakula in 2014. The Vice Chairperson, Mr Terry Tselane has been acting as chairperson during the period of the vacancy. President Zuma has extended his gratitude to Mr Tselane for his contribution in steering the IEC forward.

President Zuma wishes Mr Mashinini all the best in his new responsibility.

Statement issued by Bongani Majola, The Presidency, 14 October 2015