Cape Town — The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said all political parties must get aboard the election train as it warned all parties need to be prepared for the upcoming election process.
IEC Commissioner, Nomsa Masuku, advised candidates and parties to catch the train or run the risk of being left behind, urging them to collect signatures to be able to qualify and register by the set deadline The Citizen reported.
She was referring mainly to the independent candidates who needed to submit 1 000 signatures to be eligible to contest the 2024 general elections. Since the election date was announced and voter registration closed, the IEC has been busy as they prepare for the elections.
[Notice]
Candidate nominations for parties and independent candidates intending to contest the #SAelections24 are now open and close on 8 March, 2024. Submit your nomination online or at IEC National Office, Centurion (only). pic.twitter.com/6hNMxw1rS9
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) February 26, 2024
IEC chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo, unveiled the commission’s electoral timetable which included key cut-off times and dates for various election activities.
The provisional voters’ roll showed 27.6 million registered voters and Mamabolo said an electronic version would be made available to all IEC offices.
The commission said all independent candidates and political parties were obliged to submit their nomination requirements by 5pm on 8 March, adding that all voters’ roll objections needed to be confirmed by 11 March, with the IEC finalising the voters roll on 12 March.
The final lists of candidates would be published on 10 April, with candidates receiving their candidature certificates on 12 April. All candidates would have their photograph taken and submitted to be used on the ballot paper.
Mamabolo announced that 23 292 voting stations and 33 mobile voting stations would be used for the elections. The elections are set for 29 May.
[Media Statement] Electoral Commission’s Announcement Regarding the 2024 Election Timetable
Read the complete media release here: https://t.co/Ca0FYfJRG2
Elections Timetable: https://t.co/0lmUhpQ4iK pic.twitter.com/jPDm31AyCw— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) February 26, 2024
Meanwhile, more than 10 political parties, mostly newcomers, wrote to the commission asking it for an urgent meeting to raise some issues regarding the election process. RISE Mzansi, Build One South Africa, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, and the African Congress for Transformation, were among the parties calling for the meeting, EWN reported.
Complaints raised included the election timetable, challenges around signature requirements, as well as the deadlines for both candidate lists and payment of the registration fee.
Masuku said once a date is proclaimed, processes towards the elections begin to fall into place.
“I don’t think it’s an excuse to say the election timetable has caught people by surprise. It shouldn’t have caught people by surprise.”
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
