Limpopo’s electoral chief, Ms Nkaro Mateta, has urged the different political leaders and their supporters to practice political tolerance if there were to be free and fair elections next week.

Mateta was addressing different stakeholders during a workshop to enlighten them about what is expected of them. Stakeholders were also briefed on how far the preparations have gone on the side of the IEC. They were also afforded the chance to interact with IEC officials and ask them any question concerning the forthcoming elections.

The workshop, the last of its kind in the Thulamela municipality before the elections, was held at the Thohoy-andou Town Hall last week.

Mr Norman Madi, Thulamela’s electoral officer, said it had been found that voter education was lacking amongst potential voters and he felt it opportune to invite them to attend a workshop on constitutional democracy before election day. “Our people lack knowledge that would assist them approach to the elections on a sound footing in as far as voter education is concerned, and if we do not do it now, we are going to face challenges during the elections,” he said.

Madi said they had pulled out all the stops and were just waiting for the big day. He encouraged the electorate to come in their numbers and vote. “We have done our part and it is up to you to make these elections a success by going out in your thousands to vote. Your vote is your secret and no one will know whom you voted for,” he said.

Ms Mateta said she was concerned about the level of political intolerance in the province. She said there had been many incidents of violence where supporters of the different political parties went as far as fighting each other, with some defacing posters of their political opponents. She said many cases are still pending pertaining to political intolerance and that they should all be resolved before the election date.

She said despite all the setbacks, they were ready for the big day and their machinery was well oiled and ready to run.

Mateta urged all to abide by the code of conduct as laid down by the electoral commission in order to ensure transparency, democracy and human rights during the elections. “Today’s event reinforces our commitment as the Electoral Commission of South Africa, to have a transparent and open process leading up to elections, on voting day and thereafter. It is our belief that we can only have free and fair elections if our processes are transparent. We hope that most of you will be able to walk this road with us and bear testimony that, indeed, we did everything possible to safeguard the freeness and fairness of our elections. I trust that South Africans will come out in their numbers to cast their votes as we together continue to shape our amazing country’s future,” she said.