UDF petitions Ramaphosa to postpone elections over Electoral Act

The United Democratic Front (UDF) has petitioned President Cyril Ramaphosa and various state organs to postpone the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for November 4th. The UDF argues that the Electoral Act is unconstitutional and that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is acting unlawfully as a gatekeeper. Jo Mboweni, the UDF's national convenor, claims that the amended Electoral Act has reduced voters to mere pawns for political parties, while the IEC is structured to unfairly control the electoral process.

The UDF has called on the government to halt the elections, allowing time for the Constitutional Court to rule on the Electoral Act and the roles of the IEC. The party rejects the proportional representation system, stating it violates the constitution by preventing citizens from directly choosing their representatives. UDF is the first party to file a petition on this issue since the 1994 democratic transition.

They demand a special debate in parliament and a referendum to gauge public opinion on electoral reforms. The UDF has received support from South Africans, including prominent struggle figures, and has given the government seven days to facilitate discussions. If no resolution is reached, the UDF intends to call a referendum. The organization has ruled out contesting the 4th November elections but plans to participate in the 2029 polls, preparing for a people's convention in the interim.