MK Party Challenges IEC Objection Deadline Amid eThekwini Results Dispute

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has called for changes to electoral legislation to give political parties more time to lodge and resolve objections before the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) announces the final results. This comes amid concerns about delays in capturing votes in eThekwini. MKP secretary-general Lindiwe Mtshali raised the concerns during a media briefing at the IEC's KwaZulu-Natal Results Operations Centre (ROC).

Mtshali expressed concerns about the slow capturing of results from areas where the MK Party has strong support, particularly Umlazi and KwaMashu. The party has received more than 60 objections and wants to engage the IEC over complaints raised by its members and voters. The concerns were raised after the MKP lodged a formal objection with the commission over alleged system failures at the eThekwini ROC.

The MK Party has questioned the IEC's decision to set a 5pm deadline for objections while counting was continuing. The party argues that political formations need sufficient time to identify irregularities and have their complaints addressed. Mtshali said the party wants the IEC to engage with it and address the concerns before proceeding with the formal announcement of the results.

MKP first deputy president Duduzane Zuma said it was unfair to assume that the party's members did not understand what was happening with the election results. The leadership was inundated with complaints from members on the ground, and the party had a responsibility to keep its structures informed about the concerns being raised and the steps being taken to address them.

Zuma also said he was being taken to the electoral court on Thursday by the IEC, reportedly over comments he has made. The party does not rule out approaching the Electoral Court if the IEC fails to address the complaints. MK Party senior leader Dali Mpofu said the party was receiving various complaints from its structures and members on the ground, with some serious concerns still outstanding.

Mpofu defended the right of MK Party supporters to protest, saying there was nothing wrong with members demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the electoral process. His comments came after MK Party supporters protested outside the eThekwini provincial results centre on Friday amid concerns about possible electoral irregularities.

The IEC was expected to announce the final election results on Sunday, November 8. Duduzane Zuma said the party was not rejecting the election outcome outright and would accept the results if the elections were free and fair. The party is calling for disputed results to be frozen pending an audit and independent forensic examination of the IEC's systems.

Key points

• The MK Party has lodged over 60 objections with the IEC over alleged system failures and discrepancies in the eThekwini results.