The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has welcomed the appointment of Acting Director of Elections Lydia Macheli as its Chief Accounting Officer for the 2026/27 financial year following approval by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Rets’elisitsoe Matlanyane.
IEC chairperson, Dr. John Maphephe, said the designation was made in accordance with Section 4(g) of the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act of 2011 and gives Macheli responsibility for overseeing the commission’s financial management, procurement processes, and accountability systems.
Dr. Maphephe described the appointment as a significant step in strengthening the commission’s financial oversight and ensuring the effective management of public resources allocated to the institution.
“The commission welcomes this development as an important step towards strengthening institutional governance, financial accountability and operational continuity within the IEC,” he said this week.
The IEC boss told a press conference that they had received a letter dated 4 June 2026 from Dr Matlanyane formally appointing Macheli as the commission’s chief accounting officer for this financial year.
Macheli was appointed Acting Director of Elections in February this year following the abrupt resignation of Advocate Mpaiphele Maqutu.I
Ironically, the finance minister had earlier rejected the IEC’s request to have Macheli appointed to the post describing her as “unfit”.
In her 27 May 2026 letter to the electoral body, Dr Matlanyane had cited Macheli’s alleged over expenditure in February this year as her reason for turning down the IEC’s request.
But in a major shift the minister wrote to Macheli on 4 June, “In terms of Section 4(g) of the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act 2011, I appoint you as Chief Accounting Officer for the Independent Electoral Commission for the 2026/2027 financial year.”
Dr. Maphephe explained that the designation provides clear authority and responsibility for the stewardship of public funds, enabling the commission to carry out its constitutional mandate efficiently and in compliance with financial management and procurement requirements.
In addition to the appointment, the commission is strengthening its internal budget planning and monitoring systems through the establishment of a budget committee. The committee is being operationalised in line with government budgeting requirements and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
According to Dr. Maphephe, the committee will play a key role in planning and monitoring expenditure, improving financial oversight and ensuring that resources are directed towards the effective delivery of electoral services.
He said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen internal controls and promote sound financial management within the institution.
Dr. Maphephe also assured political parties, development partners, civil society organisations and the public that the commission remains focused on fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities and delivering electoral services effectively.
He further expressed appreciation to the government and other stakeholders for their continued support of the commission.
Cooperation among government institutions, political parties, development partners and civil society organisations remains important in promoting democratic governance and public accountability in the country, he added.
