Advocate Pansy Tlakula has been named the new Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa.

The announcement was made on November 8 by President Jacob Zuma.

Previously, Tlakula served as the Chief Electoral Officer at the IEC. In this role, she was responsible for leading the IEC’s implementation of many successful elections. Under her leadership, the IEC introduced cutting edge technologies that enhanced the institution’s ability to service the South African electorate.

Prior to Tlakula’s work at the IEC, the Harvard-educated lawyer was a commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission and National Director of the Black Lawyers Association. She has also been a member of the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights since 2005.

Tlakula replaces Dr. Brigalia Bam, who completed her tenure as the IEC’s Chairperson. Under Bam’s leadership, the IEC became one of the most respected institutions within South Africa and one of the leading electoral institutions in the world.  Bam has had a long and distinguished career with the IEC, dating back to 1994 when South Africa's first multi-party elections took place. Her expertise has been sought across the African continent and beyond.

IFES has worked with both of these election experts and looks forward to continued interactions with them.