IEC extends candidate list submissions to 32 parties
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The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced an extension of the deadline for political parties to submit their candidate lists. This decision affects 32 parties that find themselves in a similar position to the African National Congress (ANC) ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 4th.
IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya clarified that these 32 parties have been granted permission to contest the elections, ensuring fairness and adherence to constitutional principles. The Commission's move aims to maintain equal treatment of all political parties following a recent Constitutional Court ruling in favor of the ANC. Moepya emphasized that excluding parties with comparable circumstances would undermine the principle of parity in the electoral process.
The IEC strongly believes that it would be imprudent and unjustifiable to deny the right to contest elections to parties similarly situated to the ANC. The Commission's decision has been made judiciously, solely to promote free and fair elections mandated by the constitution.
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