Local elections’ candidate submissions cut-off date nearing

Tshwane political parties were confident they would meet the looming deadline for the submission of candidates taking part in the upcoming October 27 local government elections.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) deadline is Monday, August 23, and warned they would not accept any submissions afterward.

Political parties and independent candidates thus have only a few days left to submit their candidate lists to the IEC.

According to Tshwane DA chairperson Mpho Mehlape-Zimu, their candidate list was completed two months ago.

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The party kickstarted its municipal election campaign in June.

“We are simply waiting for the IEC to tell us the definite date for the elections, but we are very much ready. We need that certainty because elections cost a lot of money,” she said.

Regional ANC chairperson Kgosi Maepa said the party was also ready to head to the polls.

“We have started with our internal processes and we will finalise it on time. We will register our candidates and meet the IEC deadline,” he said.

“The ANC is ready for the elections.”

Freedom Front plus Councillor Sakkie du Plooy said although the election date was still subject to court outcomes, they were prepared for elections.

“We have gone through all the processes to get the candidates registered. We are in line with IEC plans and have done everything as expected.”

The EFF, which has recently changed its regional leadership, said this week they were preparing for the deadline date.

“It has been our position that the elections will be free and fair if held next year. If the court rejects the postponement application, we are preparing for that,” said acting EFF provincial chairperson Itani Mukwevho.

“The EFF in Gauteng and all regions are ready for the local government elections. We will be guided by the national leadership on the registration processes.”

On Tuesday, the IEC in a statement said 25 political parties and 50 independent candidates had submitted candidate lists and details.

Parties and independent candidates may submit their documents online at www.elections.org.za or visit a designated local IEC office.

According to the IEC’s statement: “Once the 23 August deadline has passed, the IEC will have until Friday, August 27 to notify political parties and independent candidates of non-compliance in respect of documents.

“However, a party that does not submit a list of candidates and pays a deposit by 17:00 on 23 August 2021, will not have an opportunity to correct non-compliances.

“Likewise, an independent candidate who fails to pay the deposit and submit candidate documents by the cut-off time of 23 August 2021 will be disqualified. Thereafter, the IEC will have until August 31 to notify parties of any candidates appearing on multiple party lists. The affected parties will have until 17:00 on September 2 to submit revised lists,” read the statement.