The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has reiterated the fact that voters in the upcoming local government elections will not be required to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination to cast their vote.
The IEC is gearing up for SA’s sixth round of municipal elections under the trying circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 26 million South Africans are registered to vote on 1 November, in an election that faced several legal hurdles and health concerns around the potential of a super spreader event.
SA’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout has slowed significantly from its record pace in early September with government’s initial target of reaching 70% of the population by the end of 2021 becoming increasingly unattainable which fuelled concerns that the vote will hasten the arrival of the fourth wave.
The IEC’s chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said that: “Vaccination is not linked to your right to vote. We are implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions at the voting stations… it is not mandatory for you to be vaccinated in order to vote.”
The IEC took to Twitter on Monday to dismiss “rumours” around a vaccination mandate, saying that voters “do not need to produce a vaccination certificate or be vaccinated to vote.”
Sources: Business Insider, IOL
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📢ATTENTION REGISTERED VOTERS📢
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) October 18, 2021
Rumour has it that you need to be vaccinated to vote in the #LGE2021.
The TRUTH is, you do not need to produce a vaccination certificate or be vaccinated to vote. pic.twitter.com/miQsM6JQXe
