The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has dismissed the Democratic Alliance's (DA) court case against political parties that submitted single-candidate proportional representative lists for the upcoming municipal polls. The IEC described the case as meritless and opportunistic. The DA had alleged that four parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), were deceiving voters and circumventing the law by not declaring upfront who would take up the parties' seats in municipal councils.
The IEC's Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said in an affidavit filed with the court that the commission did not favour either side of the case. He stated that the commission was not in favour of reopening the list process as suggested by the DA, and that its political motives were legally irrelevant to the validity of the lists. The IEC will apply equally across all political parties the sections of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act allowing parties to supplement their lists after the election if they attained more seats than they had listed candidates to fill.
The DA's court case was against four parties, including the EFF, MKP, ActionSA, and Good, that had submitted single-candidate lists. ActionSA and Good explained to the court that they planned to award their proportional seats to candidates who were unsuccessful in the wards they were contesting but had still performed well for the party. The IEC opposed the application in so far as suggestions that it breached the law in certifying these single-candidate lists.
Mamabolo emphasized that it was not for the commission to question the motives of political parties that had only named one candidate on their proportional representation lists. He added that the relief sought by the DA would be disruptive and put the integrity of the elections at risk. The IEC is firmly of the view that the DA's case is without merit in law, with many of the arguments made by the DA being factually opportunistic and legally specious.
The IEC's stance is that the single-candidate lists submitted by some parties are valid. The commission will ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent, and that all parties are treated equally. The upcoming municipal polls are expected to be a crucial test of the electoral system, and the IEC's handling of the single-candidate lists will be closely watched.
The DA's court case is one of several recent developments in South African politics. The country is preparing for the municipal polls, which will take place later this year. The polls are expected to be a significant challenge for the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), which has faced criticism over its handling of local government issues.
The IEC's decision to dismiss the DA's court case is a significant development in the run-up to the municipal polls. The commission's stance on single-candidate lists is clear, and it will apply the law equally to all parties. The DA's case has highlighted the complexities and challenges of South Africa's electoral system, and the need for clarity and transparency in the electoral process.
Key points
- The IEC has dismissed the DA's court case against parties with single-candidate lists as meritless and opportunistic.
