AfriForum to keep a close eye on national election procedures

7 May 2024

Members of AfriForum today received training to act as independent observers during the upcoming national and provincial election. The organisation is already registered at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to be stationed at election booths as observers to ensure that procedures are followed correctly. AfriForum registered 134 observers countrywide.

“It is important for us as AfriForum to be part of the election, therefore we have members across the country who will act as observers to prevent irregularities at election booths. Fair elections ensures that leaders and governments are held accountable towards the people who they are supposed to serve. When citizens have the opportunity to vote freely and fairly, they have the opportunity to voice their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their current leaders and policies. We will do everything in our power to ensure that the upcoming elections proceed fairly,” says Corné Cronjé, Manager of Community Structures at AfriForum.

According to Morné Mostert, Manager of Local Government Affairs at AfriForum, the national and provincial elections can have serious implications for municipalities. “Should a local government fail to provide necessary services to its residents, the provincial government can step in to address the situation and ensure service delivery. Many municipalities in the country are extremely poorly managed at this stage, resulting in poor service delivery. These municipalities need urgent intervention from provincial governments and most provincial governments at the moment do not have the means to provide this level of intervention. Changes in provincial governments can therefore bring positive changes in terms of municipal service delivery.”

Issued by Corné Cronjé, Manager: Community Structures, AfriForum, 7 May 2024