IEC invites citizens to pray for peaceful elections

The Electoral Commission (IEC) will today participate in a National Day of Prayer ahead of the 29 May 2024 National and Provincial Elections. Organised by the South African Council of Churches (SACC), the IEC has called on citizens to join the prayer service that will take place on Sunday, 5 May 2024, at Grace Bible Church in Soweto, Johannesburg. The commission said the event is part of the ongoing partnership with different sectors of society to ensure a successful Election Day. 'The service calls for a powerful moment of unity and prayer as we seek divine guidance for peaceful and safe elections,' the SACC said. SACC Acting General-Secretary, Reverend Mzwandile Molo, said told the SABC that the council has committed to working hard to make sure the country's elections are done peacefully and in a non-intimidatory manner since 1994. 'So, if there's anybody who incites violence, that person needs all of us to ask them to refrain from that because the scars of violence that is caused by politics are too deep and they have not healed right now. We all want to make sure that we do not remind ourselves of the violence of the past,' said Molo. The SACC is an association of affiliated Christian churches and organisations that come together in action for social justice. As an instrument and servant of its members, the council said it was committed to expressing, through proclamation and programmes, the united witness of the church in South Africa, especially in matters of national debate. 'Let's come together as one nation in prayer,' the SACC added. For citizens who cannot be there physically, the service will be streamed live on the SACC Facebook page from 2pm or they can tune in to Radio Pulpit or Radiokansel. Source: South African Government News Agency