Elections to go ahead as planned
JOBURG – Highest court in the land rules in favour of IEC but tells commission to get its house in order.
Delivering the much-awaited judgement, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said this was an exceptional case that cried out for an exceptional remedy.
He said elections are the lifeblood of the country’s constitutional democracy and the court had the duty to settle the matter. The Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and said the upcoming local government elections can go ahead as planned on 3 August, with the current information on the voters’ roll. It does not end there, though, the court has given the commission 18 months to get its house in order and ensure that all the needed information is registered on the voters’ roll.
“Future elections will have to be held in accordance with the law, with required addresses registered,” said Mogoeng.
The Chief Justice lambasted the IEC for unfairly treating independent candidates. “Independent candidates are entitled to the same rights as registered parties.” He also said it was unlawful for the IEC to no capture addresses. The court also said the commission was to pay all legal costs of both parties.
