The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has assured the citizens of South Africa that the election results management process has been compliant with electoral legislation.
This comes as some political parties have raised concerns about how votes are being handled.
“The commission wishes to assure this nation and everyone else that is following our elections that indeed we continue to place priority on the finalisation of this result in a transparent and orderly manner,” said IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya at a briefing on Saturday.
Moepya said they have engaged with the Party Liaison Committees (PLCs) and that the IEC has agreed to a request to look at the objections that have been filed late.
This comes after some parties claimed there were several result discrepancies in some districts across the country.
“I’m pleased to indicate that the commission has agreed to that request. Because there is a lot of goodwill that must be shown throughout this election compilation process, we have agreed that the process will be continued until 18:00 this afternoon,” Moepya said.
The deadline for the public and political parties to lodge objections and disputes had officially closed yesterday.
Speaking at the national Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Midrand, the Chairperson said the IEC welcomed the constructive way of allowing political parties and independent candidates to bring their deep-felt concerns to the commission.
“This is very important in an electoral contest,” he stressed.
Moepya reiterated that every objection raised will be considered.
“We are going to look at the issues that are brought before us and we are going to consider them in the process of assuring the integrity of these elections.”
Where the commission finds “materiality” through the results process, the Chairperson promised that the IEC would apply the appropriate remedies, which in some instances may include specific recounts.
“We are not going to rush; we are not going to overlook anything. We are going to walk as we look at every area of the work that is before us,” he promised.
Chairperson highlighted the commission’s commitment to transparency and the need for calmness and reasonableness in the final stages of the election process.
“We ask for all electoral stakeholders, especially the esteemed leaders of contesting political parties and independent candidates, the media, civil society, faith-based institutions, institutions of traditional leadership, organised labour, organised business and every one of the citizens of this beloved country to please remain calm and for leaders to lead this nation at this time and for voices of reason to continue to prevail.” – SAnews.gov.za
