Alarm has been raised about the potential slashing of the Electoral Commission (IEC) budget.

Civil group, My Vote Counts says the budget cuts of almost R800 million over the next three years is a threat to democracy. It adds that it will undermine the IEC’s ability to carry out its mandate of holding free and fair elections.

According to the IEC it will need to cancel the second weekend of voter registration for the 2024 general elections, voter education and outreach will need to be cut back and its e-voting pilot project will be underfunded.

My Vote Counts says the funding to the IEC must be reconsidered and strengthened by government. In the 2021 municipal elections South Africa recorded a low voter turnout amid concerns that trust in state institutions is on the decline.