Focus: Our next guest is concerned that the Independent Electoral Commission will be faced with another budget cut after the Minister of Finance tabled his Budget Speech in February. The chapter nine institution is set to lose up to R240 million in the medium term (2022 - 2025). The IEC has raised its concerns on the budget cuts given that their mandate has been expanded in the last 18 months. The IEC appeared before Parliament’s Committee for Home Affairs ahead of the 2023/2024 financial year. Last year, the Commission warned that continued underfunding will undermine its ability to hold elections that are free and fair.

 

GUEST  Letlhogonolo Letshele Electoral Systems Researcher at My Vote Counts