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CALS and Right2Protest Project granted observer status for national election

- Lee-Anne Bruce

Members of CALS and R2P will be observing voting and ballot counting at this year's national election

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) and the Right2Protest Project (R2P) have been granted observer status for the national elections taking place on 29 May 2024. Members of our organisations will be placed at various voting stations today to help ensure that elections are free and fair.

CALS and R2P are proud to be participating in this year’s national elections after becoming accredited with observer status. Observers play an important role in ensuring that elections take place in a manner that is transparent and consistent with the Constitution. Transparency is vital in ensuring that political parties and voters accept the outcome of the election and democracy can thrive.

The right to vote was not historically enjoyed by all South Africans, and it is through, amongst others, persistent protest action that this right was ultimately secured for everyone. As civil society organisations, we understand our crucial role in upholding the integrity of elections. This involves collaborating with the state, Chapter 9 institutions, the judiciary and the general public to ensure the right to vote is protected and exercised by all citizens. These landmark elections are vital for the continued progress and stability of our democracy, reflecting the collective will and voice of the people.

Members of our organisations will be positioned at various voting stations in Gauteng to observe the voting process during today’s election. In the days that follow, they will then observe the vote counting, the final tally, and the declaration of the results. This includes observing accessibility to voting stations, conduct of police officers and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) personnel. 

“Our organisations are committed to promoting civil and political rights, including the right to free, fair and regular elections,” says Sithuthukile Mkhize, head of Civil and Political Justice at CALS. “We believe observing the elections can help to promote civil and political rights and protect our hard-won democracy by ensuring that the election results are a true reflection of the country’s wishes.”

“R2P believes in the safeguarding of public participation and freedom of expression through exercising the right to vote,” says Omhle Ntshingila, Project Coordinator of R2P. “The coalition will be observing the elections in the interest of ensuring the accessibility of democratic processes for marginalised communities.”

For inquiries, please contact:

From the Centre for Applied Legal Studies:

From the Right2Protest Project:

ABOUT CALS

CALS is a public interest law organisation based at the Wits University School of Law. Founded in 1978 by Professor John Dugard, CALS continues to use a combination of research, advocacy and litigation to advance human rights and social justice in South Africa. Read more about our work at /cals/ or follow @CALS_ZA.

ABOUT R2P

R2P is a coalition of organisations that aim to advance and support the realisation of the constitutional right to protest as entrenched in section 17 of the Constitution by providing legal assistance and support to all protesters. Read more about our work at https://www.r2p.org.za/ or follow @ProtestZA.

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