IEC hands out ‘lifeline’ over registration of candidates

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is to reopen the window for local government elections candidates and voters registration.

Following the dismissal by the Constitutional Court on Friday of the IEC’s application to have the elections postponed to 2022, the commission has forged ahead to prepare for the election ordered to be held between October 27 and November 1 (date inclusive).

During a media briefing by the IEC on Monday, chairperson Glen Mashinini said the commission intended to reopen the registration for candidates to contest the local government elections.

The initial date for candidates’ applications was closed on August 23 – which saw 74 candidates belonging to political parties and independents missing that deadline. The ANC missed the registration of 35 candidates affecting over 93 local wards.

The commission refuted claims made by the DA that this was a move to make leeway for the ANC. It said that the process was inclusive to all parties and independent candidates.

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Mashinini said the intention to have the candidate registration was based on their interpretation of the judgment that in a way gives them the right to reopen the candidate lists among the adjustment to the election timetable.

“In view of the fact that the voter registration process has been re-opened by the order of the court, a number of amendments to the electoral timetable are necessary,” he said.

“This is permitted by the Constitutional Court’s order, which makes clear that the commission is entitled to “publish such amendments to the current timetable as may be reasonably necessary”. This includes the need to set a new deadline for candidate nominations.”

The registration has been scheduled for the weekend of 18 and 19 September 2021. This registration weekend would offer all eligible citizens an opportunity to register or update their registration details. This means that by September 20 local government ministry would need to proclaim the date of the election.

Mashinini said they have indicated a preferred date for the elections to minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who will announce the final date.

Meanwhile, the DA federal council head Helen Zille said the party briefed its lawyers to explore all available legal avenues to oppose the decision by the IEC to reopen its candidate registration process.

“This five-day window has given the IEC an excuse to reopen the candidate registration process to allow the ANC to register the candidates where it failed to do so by the deadline of 23 August in 93 municipalities. While the Constitutional Court judgment underscored the importance of a voter registration period, which we welcome, we strongly object to the use of the window to re-open candidate registration.”

Whether this move by the DA could delay the election process, IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said this was not yet clear.

He said the commission has not been served with papers from the political party’s lawyers to understand the nature of the opposition and whether it can halt the reopening of the candidate registration process.

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