iLembe ANC fails to register candidates in upcoming local government elections

The African National Congress in iLembe District has failed to register candidates in 12 wards for the forthcoming local government elections – even for seats the party already holds.

Opposition parties are demanding that the ANC be denied permission for late registrations, as happened for two parties in the 2011 and 2016 elections.

The ANC had appealed to the Electoral Court for an extension, but has since withdrawn the application.

Seven KwaZulu-Natal municipalities – four of which are in iLembe District – are amongst the 93 countrywide in which the ANC failed to meet the registration deadline for candidates on August 23.

ANC provincial secretary Mdumseni Ntuli told a media briefing on Tuesday that in KwaDukuza, they did not register candidates in wards 2 (Darnall), 6 (Ballito), 10 (Groutville), 20 (Etete), 22 (Salt Rock) and 24 (Melville).

In Ndwedwe affected wards were 11, 12, 13 and 15, in Mandeni ward 15 and in Maphumulo ward 2.

Seven of the 12 affected wards are currently held by the ANC.

There are 3 in KwaDukuza (wards 10, 20 and 24), 3 in Ndwedwe and 1 in Mandeni.

These seats will move to an opposition party or independent candidate if the ANC is denied late registration.

In KwaDukuza, Ward 2 is held by an independent candidate and wards 6 and 22 are held by the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Outside of iLembe, affected wards include: 3 wards in Pongola, 3 in Abaqulusi, 4 in Nongoma, 2 in Ulundi, 2 in Umvoti, 2 in Umsinga, 4 in Enquthu and 3 in Nkandla.

Ntuli said the provincial executive committee (PEC), was concerned that this might not only replace the ANC as the governing party in some of the affected municipalities but would also undermine the advancement of the national democratic revolution.

“The organisation has learnt some lessons with regards to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) electronic candidate’s registration with its glitches and attendant mistakes and call on all ANC members to rally behind the national executive committee (NEC) in fixing the challenges from the registration,” said Ntuli.

He said the PEC was in favour of petitioning the Electoral Court for the IEC to reopen the candidate registration process.

However, Inkatha Freedom Party national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa argued that everyone must be held to the same standard.

“As the IFP, we requested an extension in 2011, which was initially granted by the Electoral Court. However, the IEC appealed the matter in the Constitutional Court, which turned down the IFP’s application.

“In 2016, the New Freedom Party missed the registration fee deadline, and they too were denied participation. In 2021, this precedent must be upheld regarding the governing party’s application for an extension.

“The integrity and consistency of process are key for elections to be deemed ‘free and fair’,” said Hlengwa.

KwaDukuza DA caucus leader, Madhun Sobram Sing said all political parties were aware of deadlines and the requirements of the IEC.

“The IEC bent over to extend the deadline from 5pm to 9pm to accommodate registration of ward and PR lists.

“Why should political parties be prejudiced that had their ducks in a row and complied with legislative requirements? It would be unfair,” said Sing.

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