NELSPRUIT – Like wearing party T-shirts and setting up gazebos outside voting stations, the handing out of party T-shirts on Election Day is not a prohibited act. The regulations of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which oversees the elections, curtail some political activities on voting day, but giving gifts is not a problem as long as it occurs outside the demarcated voting station.
On Wednesday people wearing ANC attire were seen handing out flags and shirts at Glenthorpe Primary School near Barberton at about 09:00, two hours after the stations had opened. Eyewitnesses said these things were clearly meant for the people queuing to vote. They said about 40 people took some of the goods.
The incident was confirmed by Mr Sibusiso Themba, spokesman for the provincial ANC. However, since it occurred outside the voting area, it is not prohibited, explained the IEC.
Mr Sibusiso Nkosi of the IEC in Mpumalanga, said it would have been prohibited if it happened inside the voting area. Regulations stipulate that no political activity may take place inside, except for voting, and while voters may wear party colours, party agents observing the process may not.
On voting day, the IEC also prohibit political events such as meetings, marches or demonstrations. While no regulation was breached, Themba, however, said that the handing out of the regalia was not sanctioned by the party’s provincial leadership.
“We are aware of the incident. This behaviour was not sanctioned by the ANC provincial office,” he said.
Some find it confusing. Mr Hamad Masauni, an election observer for the African Union of Tanzania, said in his country the wearing of party T-shirts and setting up of gazebos outside stations were considered to be campaigning, an activity not allowed on Election Day.
