Ramaphosa weighs Electoral Court action against IEC over alleged ANC candidate glitches

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa remained steadfast as the party grappled with a crisis over candidate list submissions for the upcoming local government elections. During a campaign stop in Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa declared, "When it rains, the ANC does well. This is the beginning of a very good campaign for the ANC." His statement came after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) issued a deadline for the submission of candidate lists across multiple municipalities, including the Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Ramaphosa addressed worries stemming from the ANC's missed deadline in certain regions, noting that 34 other political parties were also impacted by technical glitches. He emphasized that these issues should not prevent voters from electing their preferred candidates. "The candidate lists were there for the whole country, and they were submitted. In regard to those areas, there were challenges relating to the interface with the IEC system," Ramaphosa explained.

Furthermore, Ramaphosa clarified that the ANC was not the sole party facing these difficulties, acknowledging that several other parties also encountered technical problems. He reassured the public that the Political Party Liaison Committee, the IEC, and the affected parties were actively working towards a resolution. Ramaphosa expressed confidence that a solution would be found soon, indicating that the matter is limited to specific areas and not as widespread as some might imply.

The president also mentioned that the ANC is considering legal avenues, such as approaching the Electoral Court, to resolve the issue. The Electoral Court, a specialized institution, specializes in handling disputes related to elections and should be able to provide clarity on the matter at hand.

Though the issue appears confined to particular regions, Ramaphosa affirmed that the ANC remains committed to its election campaign and is not deterred by the dispute over candidate registrations. As discussions between the IEC, political parties, and the Political Party Liaison Committee continue, the ultimate outcome may hinge on whether a resolution can be reached in time for the municipalities in question.