Two IEC Administrators Died On Duty

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The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has conveyed its words of empathy to the family, friends and colleagues of a presiding officer, who passed away on Monday after collapsing while on election duty, during special voting at a station in Mahikeng, North West.

During a media briefing, the tragic incident was confirmed by the IEC’s Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Masego Sheburi, where he updated the public on developments, as voting continued across the country. “With a sad heart we announce the passing of a presiding officer who collapsed at a voting station and has sadly passed on in Mafikeng,” Sheburi said.

He expanded the Commission’s sympathies to the bereaved family, alluding the loss as a deeply saddening moment for the electoral body, during the country’s local government elections.

Sheburi further disclosed that another IEC official was injured in a separate occurrence in KwaZulu-Natal. A deputy presiding officer deployed at a voting station in the uKhahlamba District, was involved in a motor vehicle accident while carrying out election duties.

“We have noted with sadness a number of unpalatable instances, one in KwaZulu-Natal where one of our staff members was involved in a motor vehicle accident. She has been rushed to a hospital. The person was a deputy presiding officer in our voting station in our uKhahlamba District,” he said.

The IEC did not disclose further details about the circumstances surrounding both incidents, but said it remains focused on supporting the affected families and ensuring the smooth continuation of voting operations nationwide.