OBSERVERS from the African continent have hailed the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), saying the electoral body has been able to deliver free and fair elections.

Observers that BuaNews spoke to on 14 April, after voting stations had closed on the country's third democratic elections, said the IEC had been well organised in all facets - logistically and technically.

Bamvuginyumvira Frederick, a Burundian observer, said the IEC systems were meticulous and provided good lessons for Burundi ahead of that country's November elections.

Fredericks observed the polls in Pretoria townships such as Mamelodi and said he was impressed by the way South Africans had turned out to cast their ballots.

"The IEC has good systems. We saw they were prepared and people were calm. We saw white and black people together as voters and organisers. South Africa is a lesson for a good democratic process," said Fredericks.

Rose Ayuru from the University of Venda's observer team said the process had been very peaceful, with citizens having come in large numbers to cast their votes.

This, she said, was due to the efficient electoral foundation laid by the IEC under the leadership of Brigalia Bam and chief electoral officer, Pansy Tlakula.

"Incidents were minor when people came to vote when they were not registered or those who had forgotten their identity documents. But the IEC officials were able to deal with that. Apart from that technical issue it was a very peaceful election," said Ayuru.

Namibian electoral commissioner Salmaan Jacobs, who observed the elections in Soweto and Johannesburg, was impressed by the way special voters such as the disabled, pregnant women and those who were sick were assisted.

She said IEC policies to assist such people gave credibility to its resolve to deliver free and fair elections.

"All indications are that (the voting) was well organised and whatever needed to be done was done properly. Definitely the process was transparent," said Jacobs.

Jacobs, whose country also goes to the polls in November, said the lessons she would take home included increased voting stations to avoid long queues or people walking long distances to vote.

These shortcomings, she added, sometimes discouraged voters from casting their ballots.

Senegalese ambassador to South Africa, Samba Buri Mboup, pointed out that the presence of party agents, an abundance of electoral material, the attendance of presiding officers, and a deep civic culture of voters in a disciplined manner was a good example for other African states.

"For us as Africans, South Africa once again did us proud. It is very refreshing to see Africa conduct its elections in this manner. The way the IEC organised the elections and the way voters responded in turning out in their numbers showed political and civic maturity," said Mboup. - BuaNews