Some 40 IEC officials, representing Mossel Bay, George, Bitou, Hessequa, Knysna, Beaufort West, Prince Albert, Laingsburg and Kannaland, congregated at the Protea Hotel on Tuesday, where so called 'top up training' was given in preparation for the big day.
During a special media briefing attended by EDENfm, Group Editors and the SABC, the IEC Provincial Electoral Officer, Courtney Sampson, discussed the state of readiness for the elections in the Southern Cape area.
"In terms of our timetable, we have no concerns in terms of being on schedule with our preparations for the upcoming elections. We are simply fine-tuning now and I am confident that we are on track," commented Sampson.
According to Sampson, the two regions concerned totals almost 350 000 registered voters who will be casting their ballots at 256 voting stations. He also confirmed that there are 19 000 officials are involved working in the province on election day.
"I believe that it is critical for the IEC to have our logistical and operational plans in place - that is essentially what the country needs from us."
Sampson reiterated that transparency with regards to the elections is paramount and therefore, the IEC has built means into their operational plans, to deal with issues as they arise. This includes close cooperation with all the State security structures.
Sampson expressed his heartfelt excitement at the prospect of seeing those South Aricans born into the democracy, voting for the first time.
"This, to me is truly a big highlight of the upcoming elections," he concluded.
IEC Provincial Electoral Officer, Courtney Sampson (second right), gave a special, informal media briefing to discuss the IEC's readiness for the upcoming elections this week. Photographed with him are (from left) Candice and Nolan Arends from community radio station Eden FM, Trevor Davids (IEC Communications Specialist), Sampson and Mlamli Maneli from the SABC.
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