IEC probes leak of candidate lists

JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) confirmed that an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the leak of the African National Congress (ANC) and MK Party candidate lists for the upcoming National and Provincial Elections on May 29.

The lists, which include personal information of the party’s national and provincial candidates, started making the rounds on social media on Friday.

Submitted

They were submitted by the ANC and MK Party on Friday afternoon – in adherence to the IEC’s deadline of 5pm. The IEC said internal process are underway to determine the source of the leak. “The commission has become aware of lists of candidates related to two political parties, the ANC and MK Party that have been circulated or disclosed in a manner that is not authorised. “Indications are that the data emanated from internal system generated reports within the commission.

Enquiry

‘‘To this end, the commission has directed an enquiry to establish the circumstances and identity of the source of the unauthorised disclosure. The disclosed documents also contain personal information of data subjects, the commission has reported the incident to the Information Regulator in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act,” the IEC said. On Saturday, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said the party views the unauthorised public disclosure of their candidate lists as a ‘matter of grave concern’.

Mbalula said the leaking of the confidential document not only breaches the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act, but also poses a reputational risk for the IEC.

Objections

“It unfairly advantages opposition parties who will have two weeks to inspect and prepare objections against ANC candidates, while the ANC will have only two days to do so in relation to the candidates of other parties.

“It also poses a reputation risk for the IEC. We wish to reiterate our full confidence in the IEC’s proven track record of administering and overseeing free, fair and credible elections over the past three decades,” Mbalula said.

Based on the IEC’s timetable, party candidate lists are set to be open for inspection on March 26 and 27.