COURT DISMISSES PARTIES’ BID TO REVISE IEC’S ELECTION TIMETABLE

The process of printing ballot papers can now begin after the Electoral Court yesterday dismissed an application by five political parties for the Electoral Commission of South African (IEC) to revise its election timetable.

The five political parties, including the newly-formed Labour Party, the African Congress of Transformation (ACT) and the All-African Allied Congress, had argued that the electoral body’s timetable, which saw them missing the March 8 deadline to register candidates, undermined their right to participate in the elections.

However, in its judgment, the Electoral Court said it would be unfair to put the IECin a situation where it has to deviate from the rules just to accommodate a few political parties.

“The IEC must not be placed in a situation where it has to make ad hoc decisions about political parties and candidates who have not complied with Section 27 of the Electoral Act,” the court said.

IEC deputy chief electoral officer Mawethu Mosery welcomed the court’s decision.

“We are satisfied that the court confirmed the standing of the timetable,” he said.

Part of the IEC requirements for the registration of political parties not represented in Parliament and independent candidates wanting to contest the upcoming general elections was the submission of the signatures of individuals supporting the party or the independent candidates. Independent candidates and political parties wanting to contest the national elections were required to submit 1 000 signatures to IEC as proof that they have some support.

Several independent candidates and political parties could not register to contest the upcoming general elections after they had failed to meet the IEC’s March 8 deadline for the submission of signatures.

The failure by the political parties and independent candidates to submit the required signatures on time, the Electoral Court found, was of their own making.

The Electoral Court ruling meant that ANC former secretary general Ace Magashule, who founded the African Congress Transformation (ACT), will not be on the ballot.

Magashule is facing corruption charges in connection with the Free State government’s asbestos scandal, which the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleged happened during his tenure as Free State premier.

Last year he was expelled from the ANC for, among other things, undermining ruling party President Cyril Ramaphosa. • clive.ndou@witness.co.za