Independent Electoral Commission

General information

The IEC is a permanent body created by the Constitution to manage free and fair elections at all levels of government. Although publicly funded and accountable to parliament, we are independent of the government.

Obligations

In terms of Section 190 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996), we must -
* manage elections of national, provincial and municipal legislative bodies;
* ensure that those elections are free and fair; and
* declare the results of those elections
* compile and maintain a voters' roll.

Duties

Section 5 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1996 requires that we:
* compile and maintain a register of parties;
* undertake and promote research into electoral matters;
* develop and promote the development of electoral expertise and technology in all spheres of government;
* continuously review electoral laws and proposed electoral laws, and make recommendations;
* promote voter education;
* declare the results of elections for national, provincial and municipal legislative bodies within seven days; and
* appoint appropriate public administrations in any sphere of government to conduct elections when necessary.