IEC warns against intimidation
The Electoral Commission said they received reports of threats on candidates across a number of provinces including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the North West in the past few days.
The Electoral Commission has cautioned against violence and intolerance between political rivals in the run-up to the 3 August local government elections.
“Violence, intimidation, destruction of property and intolerance have no place in a country with a Constitution based on respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy”, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
It said these acts were being carried out under the guise of “defending democratic processes”.
“[This] is all the more shameful and incongruent with our democracy.”
The commission said it had received reports of intimidation from a number of provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the North West, in the past few days.
“We condemn any behaviour which contravenes the Electoral Code of Conduct and undermines our democratic process of free and fair elections.”
The commission urged political leaders and candidates to speak out against conduct undermining the conditions conducive to free and fair elections.
“Political leaders are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their supporters and members”, it said.
It sought to remind political parties infringements of the Electoral Code of Conduct carried severe penalties, including disqualification from elections.
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