Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, 2000 (Act No. 27 of 2000)Chapter 4 : Observers and Voter Education Providers41. Accreditation of observers |
| (1) | Any organisation may apply to the Commission in accordance with the prescribed procedure to observe an election. |
| (2) | The Commission may require further information in support of an application. |
| (3) | The Commission may accredit an applicant to observe an election after considering the application, any further information provided by the applicant, and whether— |
| (a) | the accreditation of the applicant will promote conditions conducive to a free and fair election; and |
| (b) | the persons appointed by the applicant will— |
| (i) | observe that election impartially and independently of any party or candidate contesting that election; |
| (ii) | be competent and professional in observing that election; and |
| (iii) | subscribe to the Code of Conduct for Accredited Observers governing accredited observers. |
| (4) | The Commission may decide— |
| (a) | to accredit the applicant, in which case, the Commission must— |
| (i) | enter the applicant’s name in the register of accredited observers; |
| (ii) | issue a certificate of accreditation to the applicant stating the period and other conditions of accreditation; and |
| (iii) | send the certificate to the applicant; or |
| (b) | not to accredit the applicant, in which case the Commission must advise the unsuccessful applicant in writing of its decision. |
| (5) | If an accredited observer tails to comply to a material extent with the conditions of the accreditation, the Commission may cancel that accreditation. |
| (6) | Any person may inspect the register and copies of the certificates of accredited observers kept at the Commission’s head office. |
| (7) | The chief electoral officer must provide a certified copy of, or extract from, that register or a certificate to any person who has paid the prescribed amount. |