The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has insisted that the exclusion of 181 African National Congress (ANC) candidates from the upcoming local government elections is a result of the party's own failure to submit their nominations on time. According to the IEC, the ANC failed to submit the details of its candidates contesting proportional representation (PR) seats in six municipalities across the Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The ANC has approached the Constitutional Court in a bid to have the candidates included on the list, arguing that it had captured their names on the IEC's online portal but was unable to press the final submit button before the deadline. However, the IEC argues that a submission can only be considered complete if the final submit button is pressed. This disagreement has led to a dispute between the two parties, with the IEC maintaining its stance.
IEC Deputy CEO Masego Sheburi emphasized that the commission's system for nominating candidates is prescribed by regulation and must be followed. He stated that failure to comply with the system means that a party has no nominated candidates, and that this is not a decision but a consequence of non-compliance. Sheburi also noted that the ANC could have submitted the names physically as an alternative to the online portal.
The exclusion of the 181 ANC candidates has significant implications for the local government elections, which are set to take place in November. The ANC has described the exclusion as an injustice to its voters, while the IEC has welcomed a recent court ruling dismissing the party's bid to allow its candidates to contest the elections. The Constitutional Court is yet to rule on the matter.
The dispute between the IEC and the ANC has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The IEC has assured that it will maintain its stance at the Constitutional Court, citing the importance of adhering to the prescribed system for nominating candidates. The ANC, on the other hand, is seeking a ruling that would allow its candidates to participate in the elections.
The local government elections are a critical component of South Africa's democratic process, with millions of voters set to cast their ballots in November. The IEC has launched a campaign to promote voter participation and ensure a smooth electoral process. However, the dispute with the ANC has introduced uncertainty into the process, with many voters likely to be affected by the outcome.
The Constitutional Court's ruling on the matter is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the elections and the country's democratic process. The IEC and the ANC will present their arguments to the court, which will then make a decision on whether the 181 ANC candidates can be included on the list. The outcome will determine the fate of the candidates and the legitimacy of the electoral process.
Key points
- The IEC's exclusion of 181 ANC candidates from the local government elections is due to the party's failure to submit their nominations on time.
- The ANC has approached the Constitutional Court in a bid to have the candidates included on the list, arguing that it had captured their names on the IEC's online portal but was unable to press the final submit button before the deadline.
- The IEC maintains that a submission can only be considered complete if the final submit button is pressed, and will maintain its stance at the Constitutional Court.
