Political parties and use of social media, phone canvassing to campaign for LGE

Some political parties have taken a decision not to conduct door-to-door and hold rallies during their campaigns ahead of the Local Government Elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Africa like the rest of the world is experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa has been under lockdown for over a year and is currently on level 1.

South Africans will go to the poll on November 1 to vote for their local councillors and mayors.

Digital media

African National Congress (ANC) National Spokesperson, Pule Mabe says, the party will be campaigning using digital media platforms, instead of door-to-door and holding rallies.

Democratic Alliance (DA) National Spokesperson, Siviwe Gwarube says, they are going to have one-on-one interactions with voters and have banned large rallies.

Gwarube says the DA will also be ‘phone canvassing.

Health experts

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) National Spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa says, they are consulting with health experts to find the best possible way to campaign effectively and efficiently without compromising the health of volunteers.

United Democratic Party (UDM) Secretary-General, Bongani Msomi says they are going to use paid media platforms, such as TV and radio to campaign but they are not ruling out door-to-door and mini-rallies.

Masks

African People’s Convention (APC) President, Themba Godi says they going to ensure that their members are wearing masks, they have sanitisers and that there is social distancing during campaigning.

Godi says they will conduct outdoors campaigning.

ActionSA’s Gauteng Campaigns Manager, Abel Tau says the safety of the people is paramount during campaigning and will ensure COVID-19 protocols are adhered to during rallies.