Cape Town — The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has responded to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) calls for the US and EU to get involved in the upcoming general elections.
The IEC criticised the DA’s letter to the US, asking for observer rights during the elections, saying it directly interferes with the commission’s work during that time. Former IEC Commissioner, Terry Tselane, called on the commission to take firm action against the DA. Tselane said the DA’s request is simply shocking, EWN reported.
“To call on foreign governments to interfere with an institution that you know is a Chapter 9 institution is problematic in the extreme. You can’t just make statements in the media and in the public platform without verifying. The only way you can verify is by going through the electoral court, use the instruments that are there in law,” Tselane said.
Terry Tselane says IEC must act on parties trying to cast aspersions on its integrity to manage elections fairly. This comes after DA and the Multi-Charter office allegedly asked Western Nations to provide resources for independent election observers. https://t.co/4TPiQiMAy5 pic.twitter.com/6eAtPLqYFB
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 10, 2024
The DA is defending its letter calling for the US and several other western countries’ involvement in South Africa’s elections.
“In February, the multi-party charter drafted a letter to the G7 nations, as well as Zambia, India and Argentina, requesting those nations assist South Africa with independent election monitors and observers. I sent a correspondence to 12 nations, reiterating that appeal and sharpening it to include a request for resources to be direct to independent watchdogs and civil society organisations towards a parallel voter tabulation system”
“I must just state on the record that we have full faith in the IEC to run a free and fair elections but it is of course international practice that nations from the global north and global south send election observers and monitors and this is the call we are reiterating.”
She also said the DA has become concerned over deliberate misinformation campaigns that could potentially attempt to interfere with their elections and called for support to mitigate those risks.
The ANC has expressed their disappointment about the candidates list leak. The Multi-Party Charter office allegedly asked the USA and UK to avail resources ahead of the May 29 elections. DA MP Emma Powell has more. #Newzroom405
Watch: https://t.co/lvZRc6pFcC pic.twitter.com/gf4eGJlPHy
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 10, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
